Research Info

Lightweight sandwich structures with honeycomb cores represent a critical advancement in engineering design, offering superior strength-to-weight ratios crucial for aerospace, marine, and civil applications. While extensive research exists on flows past isotropic rectangular cylinders, the fluid-structure interaction (FSI) behavior of orthotropic honeycomb structures remains poorly understood. This study investigates how the orthotropic characteristics of honeycomb sandwich panels affect their structural responses under fluid loading conditions. Using ANSYS CFX, we conducted three-dimensional finite volume simulations with one-way FSI coupling at Reynolds numbers ranging from 5 × 104 to 2.5 × 105. The computational domain was validated through mesh convergence studies and compared against existing experimental data for rectangular cylinders. Two cases were analyzed: honeycomb sandwich panels and equivalent-weight flat panels, both subjected to identical flow conditions. Results demonstrate that honeycomb panels exhibit superior performance, tolerating 17% higher pressure loads while showing 28% less deformation compared to flat panels. This enhanced structural efficiency is attributed to the honeycomb core’s ability to distribute loads more effectively through its cellular structure. Our findings provide quantitative guidance for designing honeycomb sandwich panels in fluid-loaded applications, particularly in marine and aerospace environments where structural efficiency is paramount.