Vibration, bending, and buckling analysis of bioinspired sandwich plates with pomelo peel‐inspired core structures

Abstract Sandwich plates are highly utilized in the aerospace, automobile, and marine industries because of their light weight coupled with high structural efficiency. The structural performance of these plates is significantly influenced by the core's design. This study uses an integrated methodology combining numerical analysis with targeted experimental validation through an alternative dynamic method to explore vibration, bending, and buckling behavior of sandwich plates with novel bio‐inspired cores. Using first‐order shear deformation theory (FSDT) to model shear effects accurately, five distinct core designs were created, inspired by the pomelo peel's cellular structure. These designs provide better stiffness‐to‐weight ratios and energy absorption than conventional honeycomb or foam cores, typically studied with classical plate theories. Facesheets were made from GFRP using the hand layup process, and cores were 3D printed using PLA. Finite element numerical simulations assessed natural frequencies, deflections, and critical buckling loads under various boundary conditions. Experimental vibration analysis focused on dynamic performance with an alternative dynamic method, aligning modal frequencies with simulations and showing good agreement. Among designs, PIM02 performed best dynamically due to its optimized cellular geometry, while PIM01 stood out in bending and buckling, making PIM02 the top choice under test conditions. This bio‐inspired approach, guided by FSDT, improves sandwich structures for lightweight, high‐performance use, offering a fresh method that beats traditional designs in versatility and strength. Highlights Novel bio‐inspired sandwich plate cores inspired by pomelo peel were studied. Five core designs analyzed for vibration, bending, and buckling behavior. First‐order shear deformation theory applied for structural analysis. PIM02 core exhibits superior dynamic performance under loading conditions. Advanced biomimetic designs enhance lightweight structural applications.