Stability Tests of Sandwich Composite Elastica Arches

Abstract

A novel sandwich elastica arch is made by buckling its individual layers into shape, and then laminating them in place. One single-layer arch and four prototype sandwich composite arches with aluminum skins and discrete cores of balsa or oak wood were tested. Sandwich composite section resulted in a significant increase in the strength-to-weight ratio of the arch. The spacing of the core and the interlaminar shear strength are shown to affect the mode of failure and capacity of the arch. Test results and the relative ease of fabrication suggest that this novel arch can be used as a skeletal system for large clear-span domes.