Stress distribution in sandwich beams under tension

This paper investigates the distribution of load in the skins of sandwich b eams subjected to in-plane tension, via the action of shear lag. The invest igation also includes the effect of the tapered reinforcement at the ends o f the sandwich beams. A literature survey shows that a well- known shear la g theory is available which can be used to analyse special cases of beams w ithout end reinforcement. A simple theory is proposed in this contribution to study the significance of the end reinforcement on the load distribution in sandwich beams. Details of an experimental procedure carried out and so me experimental results obtained are also presented. These experimental res ults provide some validative indication of the proposed simple theory prese nted. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.