Flexural performance of precast concrete insulated wall panels with various configurations of ductile shear ties

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental evaluation of the flexural response of non-load bearing precast concrete insulated partially-composite wall panels fabricated with varying layouts of ductile shear ties. The out-of-plane, one-way, single span load-displacement relationship is obtained for each panel via experimental pseudo-static flexural testing using a water bladder apparatus. Panel specimens constructed with several tie layouts are examined for potential improvements in flexural performance relative to current construction methods. The influence of the shear tie pattern, insulation type, and concrete-insulation interface are examined. Results indicate that placement of additional ties in regions with higher shear demands can enhance the overall flexural capacity and ductility of the panel. Test results show good agreement with partially-composite numerical predictions of both flexural capacity and deflection ductility. Panel deformation histories including full deflected shapes are used to develop deformation-dependent load-mass transformation factors for blast-resistant design via dynamic analysis. Lastly, the strain energy of each panel at several flexural load-deflection milestones are calculated as a preliminary approximation of the blast resistance of each panel.