Simplified analysis of large deflection response of a metal sandwich beam subjected to impulsive loading

A simplified analysis is carried out to derive the analytical solution for the large deflection of a fully clamped metal sandwich beam under impulsive loading. Using the classical yield criterion for sandwich structures, the moment–axial force interaction induced by large deflection is uncoupled. Then, plastic bending and stretching deformations are separated into two distinct phases, i.e., a bending-only phase and a plastic string phase. The simplified analytical solutions for the maximum deflection and structural response time have been obtained and are in good agreement with the previous theoretical and numerical results. Moreover, the analytical formulae are employed to determine the optimal geometries of a sandwich beam that maximize the resistance to impulsive loading at a given mass.