Analytical solutions to predict flexural behavior of curved sandwich beams

This paper is concerned with the analysis of curved sandwich beams with a focus on debonding and buckling/wrinkling of the faces. An elasticity-theory-based approach is used for studying through-thickness tension in curved sandwich beam in the first section. The approach ensures an accurate description of the through-thickness stresses in curved sandwich beam. In the second section, the critical load for instability of a curved beam on an elastic foundation which is correspondent to the skin of sandwich beam, is considered and compared with the result for a flat beam on an elastic foundation. The flexural strength of sandwich beam is then studied with a view to identify debonding and local instability characteristics. The effects of various parameters, such as geometrical configuration, stiffness of the skin and core, on through-thickness tension stress and local instability respectively are also studied