Use of modal energy distribution in the design of honeycomb sandwich decks

Abstract Through the example of a spacecraft equipment deck, which is generally made of honeycomb sandwich construction, it is shown that modal energy distribution can be used as an effective guideline in improving the deck's frequencies to meet the restrictions imposed upon it. The kinetic energy distribution is employed as a basis for redistributing various packages on the deck. Strain energy distribution is used to identify areas which can be stiffened by bonding ‘doublers’ on the face sheets and the doubler thickness is obtained from a sensitivity analysis.