This homogenized, multilayer sandwich structure has a total bending stiffness. The structure has two external skins each of a material having a modulus, a thickness and a width with contribution to the total moment of inertia. The structure also has a core of a foam material sandwiched between the two external skins, wherein the core has a modulus, a thickness and a width with contribution to the total moment of inertia. The external skins are fixed to the core, the strength of the structure being dependent on the core thickness via cubic power, as well as on the placement of the layers within the structure.