Journals Proceedings

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive study on structural and damage behaviours of Precast Lightweight Foamed Concrete Sandwich Panel (PLFP) under axial load. The 3D models were developed using the finite-discrete element method (FDEM) with different material nonlinearities of concrete cracking/crushing and steel bar plasticity, and geometrical nonlinearities of large load-deflection. The precast lightweight foamed concrete sandwich panel consists of double lightweight foamed concrete wythes and a polystyrene insulation layer. The concrete panels are reinforced with bars and tied to each other through the insulation layer by shear connectors. The material models of concrete capping and foamed concrete are based on the Mohr-Coulomb with Rankine cut-off and Rotating Crack. Meanwhile, the steel reinforcement and truss connector were modelled using the Von-Mises plasticity criterion. The damage mechanisms of PLFP were numerically observed and validated using experimental results. The structural behaviour in term of load-deflection profiles from numerical results were compared with results obtained from the similar panels of experimental test. The damage mechanism and load-deflection profiles show a good agreement.