Sandwich column buckling -- a hyperelastic formulation (Q835927)

The macro-buckling equations for a sandwich column are developed in a layer-wise Timoshenko beam displacement approximation. The constitutive relationships and equilibrium equations for the core and face sheets are derived using a consistent hyperelastic neo-Hookean formulation.The proposed hyperelastic formulation in [\textit{M. M. Attard}, Int. J. Solids Struct. 40, No. 17, 4353--4378 (2003; Zbl 1054.74524)] and [\textit{M. M. Attard} and \textit{G. W. Hunt}, Int. J. Solids Struct. 41, No.~18--19, 5327--5350 (2004; Zbl 1073.74012)] and Hardingx's and Reissner's beam approach are used to derive the column buckling equations for sandwich columns incorporating transverse shear deformations within the face sheet and core, as well as the axial deformation prior to buckling. The formulation is compared to experimental results and shows a good agreement except for very short columns.