Large-Panel Building: Behaviour in Partial Damage

Abstract

This article describes tests on two full-scale models at the Warsaw Centre for Building Research and Development. The models, built with actual prefabricated units from the factory which produces a system widely used in Poland, represented a three-dimensional console-support effect at a corner after partial damage to a loadbearing gable wall. The aim of the tests was to learn the mechanism of the development of the console support, and to provide quantified data on the interaction of the individual elements composing it, which are here presented in detail. The results indicate that the forces acting in the tie beam and the floor slab, as calculated, are close to actual conditions, and that well-made connections couldform a rational solution to preventing collapse of a large-panel structure. Account must be taken, however, of the particular feature of the floor-walljoints and of the possible effect of deplanation of those joints from bending of the floor. Professor Lewicki is joint co-ordinator with Mr H. ...