Exact solutions and experimental research for continuous triple- equal-span fully profiled sandwich panels

Abstract The paper presents a set of newly developed exact analytical solutions for triple- equal-span arrangements of panels with fully profiled faces in flexure. Their derivation was based on a set of general fundamental equations retrieved from the governing differential equations for sandwich beams. Specifically designed tests of single- and triple-span fully profiled panels with steel faces (outer fully profiled and inner lightly profiled) and polyisocyanurate cores were conducted to investigate the response with regards to stiffness and initial failure, which are critical for serviceability limit states. Good agreement between test and theory was demonstrated, with safe results in all cases. The new design method permits the elimination of a significant amount of conservatism compared to current methods.