1 research outputs found
Development of innovative hybrid sandwich panel slabs: Experimental results
The authors appreciate the collaboration of the following labs: Civitest for developing DHCC materials, PIEP for conducting VARTM process (Eng. Luis Oliveira) and Department of Civil Engineering of Minho University to perform the tests (Mr. Antonio Matos and Eng. Marco Jorge).In this paper, a new generation of composite sandwich slab is proposed as a solution for the rehabilitation
of slabs in old masonry buildings. An innovative solution was developed during this research formed by
four components: a Deflection Hardening Cement Composite (DHCC) layer on the top compression skin, a
glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) skin at the bottom tension surface, GFRP ribs to transfer shear from
top to bottom layers, and foam core for thermal-insolation purposes. The DHCC layer contributes significantly
for the load carrying and deflection capacity due to its stiffness, compressive strength and toughness,
offers resistance to the occurrence of buckling phenomena in the GFRP ribs, improves the
performance of this structural concept against impact and fire, and constitutes an excellent medium
for the application of finishing materials, like ceramics or timber. Two different hybrid composite slabs
were developed and tested, and their behavior was assessed under flexural loading. The results showed
that the developed hybrid sandwich slabs accomplish all design requisites for serviceability and ultimate
limit states, and assure a stiffness/dead-weight and load-capacity/dead-weight ratios much higher than
conventional structural slab systems.FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologi