Designing a Stiffener Layout that Resists the Wrinkling Behaviors of Sandwich Panels
Publication: Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 37, Issue 5
Abstract
Wrinkling is a typical failure mode of sandwich structures with thin skins, where the bending deformation of face skins occurs simultaneously in conjunction with transverse stretching deformation of core layer. To analyze the three-dimensional (3D) deformation of wrinkling, a model is required to possess a capability describing completely different deformations at each ply. Therefore, by utilizing the Chebyshev polynomial at each layer of sandwich panels, this paper focuses on proposing a higher-order model to individually illustrate deformations of the skins and the core. By means of the proposed model, a refined triangular element has been constructed. By analyzing the stability of a sandwich plate without stiffeners, the finite-element formulation has been verified by comparing it to the quasi-3D elasticity solutions. In addition, it is anticipated that wrinkling failure can be effectively restrained by designing the stiffener layout. To this end, the influence of stiffener layouts on wrinkling behaviors of sandwich plates has been investigated in detail, and it is found that the capability of resisting the wrinkling deformation can be obviously improved by designing reasonable stiffener layouts. Moreover, the translation between buckling and wrinkling behaviors of sandwich panels with different stiffeners has been also explored, which can help to better understand wrinkling deformation mechanism. In summary, the proposed model can be used to design a reasonable arrangement of stiffeners to resist the wrinkling failure of sandwich panels.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The work described in this paper was supported by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (No. 12172295).
References
Allen, H. G. 1969. Analysis and design of structural sandwich panels. London: Pergamon.
Birman, V. 2004. “Thermomechanical wrinkling in composite sandwich structures.” AIAA J. 42 (7): 1474–1479. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.5913.
Birman, V., and N. Vo. 2017. “Wrinkling in sandwich structures with a functionally graded core.” J. Appl. Mech. 84 (2): 021002. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4034990.
Dafedar, J. B., and Y. M. Desai. 2004. “Stability of composite and sandwich struts by mixed formulation.” J. Eng. Mech. 130 (7): 762–770. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9399(2004)130:7(762).
Di Sciuva, M., and M. Sorrenti. 2019. “Bending, free vibration and buckling of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced sandwich plates, using the extended Refined Zigzag Theory.” Compos. Struct. 227 (1): 111324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2019.111324.
D’Ottavio, M., O. Polit, W. Ji, and A. M. Waas. 2016. “Benchmark solutions and assessment of variable kinematics models for global and local buckling of sandwich struts.” Compos. Struct. 156 (Nov): 125–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2016.01.019.
Du, L., H. Xiaojun, and Y. Bin. 2013. “Wrinkling of sandwich materials with nonorthogonal plain woven composite facesheets.” Mech. Based Des. Struct. Mach. 41 (1): 100–110. https://doi.org/10.1080/15397734.2012.703608.
Gdoutos, E. E., I. M. Daniel, and K.-A. Wang. 2003. “Compression facing wrinkling of composite sandwich structures.” Mech. Mater. 35 (3–6): 511–522. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-6636(02)00267-3.
Hadi, B. K. 2001. “Wrinkling of sandwich column: Comparison between finite element analysis and analytical solutions.” Compos. Struct. 53 (4): 477–482. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0263-8223(01)00060-5.
Hadi, B. K., and F. L. Matthews. 2001. “Buckling of anisotropic sandwich panels containing holes: Part II—Wrinkling.” Compos. Struct. 54 (1): 103–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0263-8223(01)00074-5.
Huang, S., and P. Qiao. 2020. “A novel semi-analytical method for buckling analysis of stiffened laminated composite plates.” Thin-Walled Struct. 148 (Mar): 106575. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2019.106575.
Jalali, S. K., and M. Heshmati. 2016. “Buckling analysis of circular sandwich plates with tapered cores and functionally graded carbon nanotubes-reinforced composite face sheets.” Thin-Walled Struct. 100 (Mar): 14–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2015.12.001.
Kant, T., and H. S. Patil. 1991. “Buckling loads of sandwich columns with a higher-order theory.” J. Reinf. Plast. Compos. 10 (1): 102–109. https://doi.org/10.1177/073168449101000107.
Khalili, S. M. R., M. M. Kheirikhah, and K. M. Fard. 2015. “Buckling analysis of composite sandwich plates with flexible core using improved high-order theory.” Mech. Adv. Mater. Struct. 22 (4): 233–247. https://doi.org/10.1080/15376494.2012.736051.
Khalili, S. M. R., M. M. Kheirikhah, and F. K. Malekzadeh. 2014. “Biaxial wrinkling analysis of composite-faced sandwich plates with soft core using improved high-order theory.” Eur. J. Mech. A. Solids 43 (Jan-Feb): 68–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euromechsol.2013.08.002.
Kiani, Y. 2017. “Buckling of FG-CNT-reinforced composite plates subjected to parabolic loading.” Acta Mech. 228 (4): 1303–1319. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00707-016-1781-4.
Lei, Z. X., K. M. Liew, and J. L. Yu. 2013. “Buckling analysis of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite plates using the element-free -Ritz method.” Compos. Struct. 98 (Apr): 160–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2012.11.006.
Lei, Z. X., L. W. Zhang, and K. M. Liew. 2016. “Buckling analysis of CNT reinforced functionally graded laminated composite plates.” Compos. Struct. 152 (Sep): 62–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2016.05.047.
Manshadi, B. D., A. P. Vassilopoulos, C. Julia de, and K. Thomas. 2011. “Modeling of buckling and wrinkling behavior in GFRP plate and sandwiches subjected to biaxial compression–tension loading.” J. Compos. Constr. 16 (4): 477–487. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CC.1943-5614.0000277.
Mehrabadi, S. J., B. S. Aragh, V. Khoshkhahesh, and A. Taherpour. 2012. “Mechanical buckling of nanocomposite rectangular plate reinforced by aligned and straight single-walled carbon nanotubes.” Composites, Part B 43 (4): 2031–2040. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2012.01.067.
Mittelstedt, C. 2008. “Closed-form buckling analysis of stiffened composite plates and identification of minimum stiffener requirements.” Int. J. Eng. Sci. 46 (10): 1011–1034. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijengsci.2008.02.004.
Niu, K., and R. Talreja. 1999. “Modeling of wrinkling in sandwich panels under compression.” J. Eng. Mech. 125 (8): 875–883. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9399(1999)125:8(875).
Phan, C. N., N. W. Bailey, G. A. Kardomateas, and M. A. Battley. 2012. “Wrinkling of sandwich wide panels/beams based on the extended high-order sandwich panel theory: Formulation, comparison with elasticity and experiments.” Arch. Appl. Mech. 82 (10–11): 1585–1599. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00419-012-0673-x.
Pozorski, Z., J. Pozorska, I. Kreja, and Ł. Smakosz. 2021. “On wrinkling in sandwich panels with an orthotropic core.” Materials 14 (17): 5043. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14175043.
Rafiee, M., M. Hejazi, and H. Amoushahi. 2024. “Numerical and experimental buckling response of moderately thick and thick composite plates with various stiffener layouts.” Mech. Adv. Mater. Struct. 31 (9): 2008–2028. https://doi.org/10.1080/15376494.2022.2148026.
Shojaee, T., B. Mohammadi, and R. Madoliat. 2020. “Experimental and numerical investigation of stiffener effects on buckling strength of composite laminates with circular cutout.” J. Compos. Mater. 54 (9): 1141–1160. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021998319874101.
Stiftinger, M. A., and F. G. Rammerstorfer. 1997. “Face layer wrinkling in sandwich shells-theoretical and experimental investigations.” Thin-Walled Struct. 29 (1–4): 113–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0263-8231(97)00018-9.
Van Do, V. N., Y.-K. Lee, and C.-H. Lee. 2020. “Isogeometric analysis of FG-CNTRC plates in combination with hybrid type higher-order shear deformation theory.” Thin-Walled Struct. 148 (Mar): 106565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2019.106565.
Vescovini, R., M. D’Ottavio, L. Dozio, and O. Polit. 2018. “Buckling and wrinkling of anisotropic sandwich plates.” Int. J. Eng. Sci. 130 (Sep): 136–156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijengsci.2018.05.010.
Vonach, W. K., and F. G. Rammerstorfer. 2000. “Wrinkling of thick orthotropic sandwich plates under general loading conditions.” Arch. Appl. Mech. 70 (5): 338–348. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004199900065.
Wang, Y., and P. Qiao. 2021. “Improved buckling analysis of stiffened laminated composite plates by spline finite strip method.” Compos. Struct. 255 (Jan): 112936. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.112936.
Wanji, C., and Y. K. Cheung. 1997. “Refined non-conforming quadrilateral thin plate bending element.” Int. J. Numer. Methods Eng. 40 (21): 3919–3935. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0207(19971115)40:21%3C3919::AID-NME243%3E3.0.CO;2-A.
Wattanasakulpong, N., and V. Ungbhakorn. 2013. “Analytical solutions for bending, buckling and vibration responses of carbon nanotube-reinforced composite beams resting on elastic foundation.” Comput. Mater. Sci. 71 (Apr): 201–208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.commatsci.2013.01.028.
Wu, C.-P., and S.-K. Chang. 2014. “Stability of carbon nanotube-reinforced composite plates with surface-bonded piezoelectric layers and under bi-axial compression.” Compos. Struct. 111 (May): 587–601. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2014.01.040.
Wu, Z., S. Zhang, Y. Xiao, Z. Liu, and X. Ren. 2023. “Buckling and wrinkling of sandwich structures reinforced by functionally graded carbon nanotubes.” J. Aerosp. Eng. 36 (2): 04022127. https://doi.org/10.1061/JAEEEZ.ASENG-4733.
Yas, M. H., and N. Samadi. 2012. “Free vibrations and buckling analysis of carbon nanotube-reinforced composite Timoshenko beams on elastic foundation.” Int. J. Press. Vessels Pip. 98 (Oct): 119–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpvp.2012.07.012.
Zhang, L. W. 2017. “An element-free based IMLS-Ritz method for buckling analysis of nanocomposite plates of polygonal planform.” Eng. Anal. Bound. Elem. 77 (Apr): 10–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enganabound.2017.01.004.
Zhen, W., and C. Wanji. 2006. “Refined global–local higher-order theory and finite element for laminated plates.” Int. J. Numer. Methods Eng. 69 (8): 1627–1670. https://doi.org/10.1002/nme.1820.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 37 • Issue 5 • September 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 14, 2023
Accepted: Apr 18, 2024
Published online: Jul 13, 2024
Published in print: Sep 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Dec 13, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Analysis (by type)
- Continuum mechanics
- Deformation (mechanics)
- Design (by type)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Failure analysis
- Geomechanics
- Geotechnical engineering
- Models (by type)
- Panels (structural)
- Plastic design
- Sandwich panels
- Soil deformation
- Soil dynamics
- Soil mechanics
- Solid mechanics
- Stiffening
- Structural behavior
- Structural design
- Structural engineering
- Structural mechanics
- Structural members
- Structural systems
- Three-dimensional models
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.