Structural behavior of precast concrete composite one-and two-way sandwich panels with different lower layers and lightweight concrete core under Flexural load

In this paper, the structural behaviour of precast concrete sandwich panels (PCSP) under flexure is studied. Finite element analyses (FEA) were carried out to study the behavior of composite precast concrete sandwich panels (PCSP) in order to examine feasibility of their usage as slab elements in the construction industry. The panels are composed of three layers; A high strength reinforced concrete top layer. A thick layer of light-weight concrete as the intermediate layer or core, and a thin, flat or corrugated steel plate and or a tensile resistant reinforced concrete bottom layer. In this research, at first eighth model of one-and two-way sandwich panels with the ABAQUS software was modeled and in terms of structural performance have been studied. In addition, the effect of steel shear connector’s stiffness as measured by its diameter on the ultimate strength and the compositeness of the panels was investigated. The effect and orientation of the shear connectors in one or two directions were also investigated. The results of finite element analysis by ABAQUS software show a logical behavior of load-deflection curves in shear connectors. The ultimate strength and the degree of composite action desired were found to depend to a large extent upon the stiffness of the shear connector used.