Aluminum Beams with Composite Thermal Barriers: Recent Developments in Analysis (Part 2)

Abstract

This is Part 2 of an article about analysis developments for aluminum-thermal barrier beams. It includes: (1) Effective shear modulus. An FEA study determined the effective shear moduli of the cores of simply supported beams. These beams (tested by others) had glass-fiber-reinforced nylon (polyamide) cores, short overhangs, and two symmetrical concentrated loads. Effective moments of inertia, effective section moduli, and shear flows are presented. (2) Bending stiffness. Bending stiffnesses based on a U.S. method are compared to those based on a European method. Two profiles, two shear moduli, and three spans were studied. Results are very similar if face shear deformation is not included.

Keywords

• aluminum
• thermal barrier
• sandwich beam
• curtainwall
• shear deformation