Geometrically nonlinear free vibrations of the symmetric rectangular honeycomb sandwich panels with simply supported boundaries

Geometrically nonlinear free vibrations of symmetric rectangular honeycomb sandwich panels with simply supported boundaries at the four edges are investigated using the homotopy analysis method (HAM). The honeycomb core of hexagonal cells is modeled as a thick layer of orthotropic material whose parameters of physical and mechanical properties are calculated by the corrected Gibson’s formula. The basic formulation of nonlinear free vibrations has been developed based on the third-order shear deformation plate theory and the nonlinear strain–displacement relation. The equilibrium equations have been obtained using Hamilton’s principle. Effects of axial half-waves, height and height ratio on the nonlinear free vibration response have been investigated for honeycomb sandwich panels.