Kevin Kennedy Associates has consulting experts able to provide solutions in composites manufacturing and design, polymer matrix composites, polyester laminates, and a complete range of related materials science applications.

Do you have a unique problem in search of the best engineering solution? If you have not had any success in finding the specific expert you are in need of, please try our advanced expert search or the experts search box above. For the best possible assistance in finding the consultant or consultants that you need, please call our rapid response team at: 800-367-5524. You can discuss your project's specifications with one of our lead consultants that will assess your needs and get you the proper specialist or team of specialists to help you handle your requirements in the most cost-effective and efficient manner possible.

Also, feel free to browse our complete directory list and find experts, or review a few resumes of our consultants that have specialization in disciplines related to the sandwich construction process: Construction expert (VBD - Ph.D.), Composite Materials Consultant (XRL - Ph.D.) and Polymer Engineer (LKF - Ph.D.).

A typical sandwich construction consists of stiff and relatively thin faces adhered to a low cost and low density core material. The faces could be an isotropic material or a laminated composite and the core could be foam, balsa, honeycomb, truss, web, or variations of these. The sandwich architecture provides exceptional flexural stiffness compared to monocoque structures while reducing weight and cost. As a result, sandwich construction reduces lateral deformations, increases buckling resistance, and has higher natural frequencies.

Flat plates subject to lateral loads can be analyzed using the classical solutions of Navier and Levy. More recently Plantema, Allen, and Dobyns have derived formulations that include transverse shear deformation of the core. The Dobyns solution is based on laminated plate theory and thus can easily compute composite laminate constructions.

Transverse shear deformation of the core can be a very important design consideration. For example, a sandwich plate with a low density foam core such as 2lb/ft^3 urethane with a shear modulus of 200 psi may have more deformation due to transverse shear than to bending whereas a balsa cored plate with a shear modulus of 23,000 psi may only contribute 10% to the overall deformation through transverse shear.

Computer programs have been written for rectangular and circular sandwich plates for a variety of lateral loading conditions that include transverse shear deformation. Programs are also available for optimization of the sandwich construction, buckling, and natural frequencies for sandwich plates and shells. Most of these programs have been verified by finite element analysis or comparison to classical elasticity theory.

Kevin Kennedy Associates related expert resume directory section(s):

• Materials Science Engineers
• Civil Engineering Experts
• Chemical Engineer Consulting

Governmental bodies and associations related to this subject matter (no affiliation):

• The National Institute of Sciences and Technology (NIST) Materials Science and Enginerring Laboratory (MSEL) promotes innovative approaches and developments in materials science in order to help the United States to remain industrially competitive and promote economic security.
• US Department of Energy (DOE) Materials Sciences subprogram supports research in the development of materials that assist in more efficient energy production, but also allow for the development and production of more energy efficient materials.