Vibration Analysis of Honeycomb FRP Sandwich Beams by a High Order Theory

Recent applications have demonstrated that fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) honeycomb sandwich panels can be effectively and economically applied for both new construction and replacement of existing structures. In this paper, free vibration analysis of an as-manufactured FRP honeycomb sandwich system with sinusoidal core geometry in the plane and extending vertically between face laminates is presented. A higher-order vibration model for sandwich beams is formulated using energy method. The analytical solutions in term of frequency and mode shapes are compared with the results of experimental testing and numerical finite element modeling of an "as-manufactured" FRP honeycomb sandwich beams. The present vibration analysis demonstrates the accuracy and capability of the higher order dynamic sandwich beam theory, and it can be used in analysis, design applications, and potential health monitoring of efficient honeycomb FRP composite sandwich structures.