Metallic sandwich panels based on a truss core structure have been developed for a wide range of potential applications with their lightweight and multi-functionality. Structural performance of sandwich panels can be predicted from the studies on mechanical behavior of a unit cell of truss core structures. Analytical investigations on the unit cell provide approximated guidelines for the design of overall core structures for a specific application in short time. In this study, the effects of geometrical parameters on mechanical behavior of a pyramidal shape of unit cell were investigated with analytical models. The unit cell with truss member angle of 45 degree was considered as reference model and other models were designed to have the same weight and projected area but different truss member angle. All truss members were assumed to be connected with pin joint in analytical models. Under the assumptions, the equivalent strength and stiffness of the unit cell under compressive and shear loads were predicted and compared. And finally, the optimum core member angle to have maximum mechanical property could be calculated and verified with FE analysis results.
