Study of Flexural Behavior of Sandwich Wall Panel

This paper presents the experimental investigation on cast in-situ sandwich panel frame with provision of shear connectors. Flexural tests with three-point loading is to be performed on frame with shear connectors in order to study the behaviour of panels under bending. The sandwich panel has concrete layer with an insulation material of expanded polystyrene foam. Due to the presence of insulation material the panel is thermally more effective than conventional panels. Shear connectors are used to connect the concrete layer and these connectors also transfer the transverse load more effectively. Flexural tests with flexural loading are to be performed on sandwich panels, in order to study the behaviour of panels under transverse load. EPS foam has closed-celled structure made for thermal insulation. The degree of composite action depends on how effectively the shear force is transferred. The slab is connected by means of ‘W’ shape 6mm dia mild steel bar at he supports. Concrete is casted monolithically over the frame, thus the frame acts as rigid frame. It is observed that three layer wythes sandwich panel is more thermally effective than two layer wythes sandwich panel. Use of precast technology and lightweight structural members has gained wide acceptance in construction industry. Precast concrete sandwich slabs/panels have combined advantages of precast technology and lightweight structural members. These types of panels may consist of two concrete R/C layers (wythes) separated by a core made of less dense material that often provides significant thermal and sound insulation. Welded wire mesh may be used as reinforcements in the wythes. The degree of composite action achieved by concrete sandwich panels primarily depends on type of shear connectors used to connect the wythes.