Mechanics of structure genome-based buckling analysis of sandwich structures

Sandwich structures are important structural members in modern lightweight engineering. Accurate and effective buckling predictions are vital to the design and optimization of sandwich structures. This paper extends and validates a homogenization theory namely the mechanics of structure genome (MSG) in predicting eigenvalue buckling of sandwich structures under compressive and bending loads. Global buckling is predicted on a homogeneous plate with effective plate properties computed by MSG. Local buckling is predicted by perturbing the fluctuating function of structure gene under Bloch-periodic boundary conditions. Accuracy of buckling predictions is validated by three-dimensional finite element analysis. • Mechanics of structure genome for global and local buckling of sandwich structures. • Buckling of sandwich structures under both compressive load and bending load. • Bloch-periodic boundary conditions used in mechanics of structure genome models. • New buckling modes including type II flexural modes and torsional modes identified.