Experimental assessment of the Refined Zigzag Theory for the static bending analysis of sandwich beams

In the present work, for the first time, the accuracy of the Refined Zigzag Theory in reproducing the static bending response of sandwich beams is experimentally assessed. The theory is briefly reviewed and an analytical solution of the equilibrium equations is presented for the boundary and loading conditions under investigation (four-point bending). The experimental campaign is described, including the material characterization and the bending tests. The experimentally measured deflections and axial strains are compared with those provided by Refined Zigzag Theory and by the Timoshenko Beam Theory with an ad hoc shear correction factor. The Refined Zigzag Theory is shown to be more accurate than the Timoshenko Beam Theory, in particular for beams with higher face-to-core thickness and stiffness ratios and with a reduced slenderness.