Behaviour of S-types shear connector in composite precast concrete sandwich wall panels / Herman Tawil

Herman , Tawil (2024) Behaviour of S-types shear connector in composite precast concrete sandwich wall panels / Herman Tawil. PhD thesis, Universiti Malaya.

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Abstract

Precast concrete sandwich wall panels (PCSPs) have gained popularity in building exteriors due to their commendable thermal efficiency, composite performance, and cost-effectiveness in terms of manufacturing and maintenance. In a continuous effort to enhance efficiency and reduce material usage, researchers have explored into the possibility of decreasing panel thickness while maintaining thermal efficiency and ensuring the strength of cladding components. However, the critical aspect of shear connection, particularly involving steel plates, which is essential for durability and energy efficiency, has not received sufficient attention in existing research. This study focuses on investigating the shear behavior of PCSPs with an S-type shear connector (SSC), combining nine push-off tests with nonlinear finite element modelling using the Abaqus software. Parametric analyses were undertaken with the development of 192 models to investigate how the geometric properties of the SSC, steel yield strength, and insulation thickness affect the overall performance. The study findings provide interesting information. The maximum secant stiffness for SSCs is found to be achieved when the connector has a width of 101.4 mm and a thickness of 2 mm. Consequently, the study recommends that the width of SSCs should be constrained to this specific value or lower to optimize their performance. Furthermore, the research indicates that increasing steel yield strength beyond a thickness of 2 mm and a width of 101.4 mm does not yield additional benefits; instead, it adversely affects the secant stiffness of the SSCs. In essence, this research contributes valuable knowledge to the design and optimization of PCSPs, shedding light on the specific parameters that influence the shear behavior of these panels when utilizing an S-type shear connector. The findings provide practical recommendations for engineers seeking to strike a balance between material efficiency and structural integrity in the construction of building exteriors using precast concrete sandwich wall panels.

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