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Sunbeam, I was speaking for structures in general, not just boats. You space the load carrying elements further apart, and they become stiffer. Remember I-Beams?
I'll say that the core properties are relevant, since the outside elements flex, warp and twist, flexing the core, but that's a secondary factor. They are there to provide spacing between the structural elements.
Remember that C-Dory sterns have structural foam in them. This is foam designed to carry a load and it does that well. On the other hand, what load do you expect end-grain balsa squares or non-structural foam to carry? The compression strength is low, the tensile strength is even lower, etc, etc.
So the characteristics we ought to be discussing is resistance to water intrusion, flexibility, ease of manufacturing and other non-structural properties. Strength doesn't count. All the spacing materials are about equal there.
Boris
I'll say that the core properties are relevant, since the outside elements flex, warp and twist, flexing the core, but that's a secondary factor. They are there to provide spacing between the structural elements.
Remember that C-Dory sterns have structural foam in them. This is foam designed to carry a load and it does that well. On the other hand, what load do you expect end-grain balsa squares or non-structural foam to carry? The compression strength is low, the tensile strength is even lower, etc, etc.
So the characteristics we ought to be discussing is resistance to water intrusion, flexibility, ease of manufacturing and other non-structural properties. Strength doesn't count. All the spacing materials are about equal there.
Boris