A new improved high‐order theory for analysis of free vibration of sandwich panels

Abstract A new improved high‐order theory is presented to investigate the dynamic behavior of sandwich panels with flexible core. Shear deformation theory is used for the face sheets, whereas the three‐dimensional elasticity theory is used for the core. Displacements in the core are assumed as polynomial with unknown coefficients. Inertia forces, moments of inertia and shear deformations in the core, and the face sheets are taken into consideration. Unlike the previous improved theory, the in‐plane normal and shear stresses in the core are considered. The governing equations and the boundary conditions are derived by Hamilton's principle. Closed form solution is achieved using the Navier method and solving the eigenvalues. The numerical results of present analysis compared with the available results in the literature. It indicates that the present new modified theory is more accurate than the other developed theories for sandwich panels. In this study, the variation of the nondimensional natural frequency with respect to the various parameters is presented. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:2042–2048, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers