Static analysis of higher order sandwich beams by weak form quadrature element method

Based on the extended high order sandwich panel theory (EHSAPT) and differential quadrature rule, an N-node novel weak form quadrature sandwich beam element is established. Gauss Lobatto Legendre (GLL) points are utilized as element nodes and GLL quadrature is used to obtain the element stiffness matrix and work equivalent load. Detailed formulations are given. Convergence study is performed. Numerical results are presented for sandwich beams with different boundary conditions subjected to distributed loadings. Different materials for the face sheets and core of the beam structure are considered. It is shown that the proposed beam element can yield very accurate displacements and stresses as compared to theoretical solutions. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.