Transverse shear stiffness of thickness gradient honeycombs

• Published in: Composites science and technology Vol. 70; no. 6; pp. 930 - 936
• Main Authors: Lira, C., Scarpa, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: A. Sandwich; B. Mechanical properties; C. Elastic properties; Exact sciences and technology; Finite element method; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Gradient honeycomb; Honeycomb; Honeycomb construction; Mathematical analysis; Panels; Physics; Shear; Shear stiffness; Solid mechanics; Static elasticity (thermoelasticity...); Structural and continuum mechanics; Unit cell; A. Sandwich; B. Mechanical properties; Gradient honeycomb; C. Elastic properties; Theoretical study; Mechanical properties; Modeling; Thickness; Finite element method; Honeycomb structure; Functionnally graded material; Numerical simulation; Elastic properties; Transverse shear
• ISSN: 0266-3538; 1879-1050
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2010.02.007

This paper describes the transverse shear stiffness of a novel topology of gradient honeycomb structures. Opposite to classical honeycomb configurations, gradient honeycombs feature elements of their unit cells with a regular geometry variation across the whole honeycomb panel. The tessellation of the cells is not periodic, but is dictated by geometric constraints between adjacent units. Gradient honeycombs with wall thickness linearly increasing along the panel are described using experimental data and Finite Element models. The gradient behaviour of the cellular structure provides additional complexity, and the possibility of tailoring design properties, such as the stiffness per unit of weight. We observe a good agreement between the Finite Element and the experimental results, with maximum percentage errors <7% for the shear moduli of the honeycombs.