How do I design honeycomb sandwich panels?

[rd400guy]

I'm looking for any information regarding the design parameters for honeycomb (most likely aluminum) sandwich panels. I've been on Hexcel's site, and have requested information, but was thinking I might be able to get a head start here.

I need to know specifics about how to determine design parameters, i.e. what cell size to use, what thickness of honeycomb, what type of skins to choose, etc. If anyone knows of any books out there that specifically deal with this, I would greatly appreciate it. Actually, ANY information on design of composite structures using honeycombs would help. Thanks in advance.

 

[Foreman]

It has been a week since your original post, but I will reply anyway. All of my experience is in the space industry, but I'm sure other industries use similar type of honeycomb.

An excellent source for sizing honeycomb is Aircraft Design and Analysis by Bruhn. There is a whole chapter in there, with lots of examples on how to do analysis on honeycomb. Also, I would go to the Hexcel website to get the material properties.

http://www.hexcelcomposites.com/markets/downloads/default.asp?root=hon

In the space industry a good starting place, if you are sizing honeycomb, is 3/16in cell size, 5056AL, 4.4 lb/cu.ft , .75in core with .020in aluminum facesheets. What makes honeycomb so great is the fact that it can be customized in localized locations. If you're bolted into it, it may be advantagous to get denser core with thicker facesheets in the area around the bolt. This can make for significant weight savings.

hope this helps

 

[RPstress]

For simple design (sizing) of panels, Hexcel's old TSB 124 was very good. Their modern equivalent seems to be AGU 075b, "HexWeb Honeycomb Sandwich Design Technology", which can be found in PDF form at

http://www.hexcelcomposites.com/Markets/Downloads/default.asp?root=bro

(Just slightly different from Foreman's above link.)

It's also necessary for design to download their LTU 018, "Sandwich Panel Fabrication Technology" PDF, which tells you how to do basic things like join panels together, etc.