Search for optimum geometry of selected steel sandwich panel joints

Application of steel sandwich panels to ship structures requires many problems to be solved. Joints between the panels as well as those between the panels and other structures is one of the more difficult problems associated with the structures in question. This paper presents the searching for process of optimum geometry of a panel-to-panel joint of longitudinal arrangement, performed by means of the ANSYS software. A configuration was searched for of parameters which can ensure as-low-as possible values of geometrical stress concentration coefficients at acceptable mass and deformations of the structure. Analysis of the obtained results made it possible to propose the optimum geometry of the considered joint.