Numerical analysis of flexural behavior of sandwich beams using the FGM approach

Analytical modeling to predict the flexural behavior of sandwich beams using a triangular finite element model, the Triangular Plate Finite Element with Airy Function (TPAF). The originality of this model lies in the use of the deformation approach, which comprises three nodes and three degrees of freedom per node (one translation Wi and two rotations θxi and θyi). The main aim of this work is to validate the model by comparison with other solutions, in particular by means of an analytical prediction based on layer theory and the results obtained using CSB software. The originality of this study lies in the fact that the mechanical properties vary according to an exponential function along the height of the FGM section and remain constant in the other parts of the different composite sections. Tabular and graphical results are presented to illustrate the impact of deffrents, such as geometric factors (thickness configurations and length/thickness ratios), as well as boundary conditions and loads, on the static behavior of the beam.