Computational Behaviour of Precast Lightweight Concrete Sandwich Panel with Double Shear Truss Connectors Under Flexural Load

Abstract

This study presents the computational behavior of precast lightweight foam concrete sandwich panel (PFLP) under flexural load and vibration using SAP2000. PLFP and other types of precast panels with various sustainable materials were proven to have a capacity at par with precast panel fabricated from conventional concrete. However, the number of studies on precast panel which focus on vibration are very limited. Thus, this study undertook the computational analysis on PLFP panel subjected to flexure load and vibration. Two PLFP panels from previous research, designated as PLFP-1 and PLFP-2, were modelled and simulated. The model of panel was first validated by comparing the deflection values of PLFP under flexure load, obtained from experiment and FEM. The validated models were then simulated against vibration and the natural frequencies obtained in each panel were recorded. It is found that PLFP-1 and PLFP-2 panels from FEM managed to obtain deflection significantly smaller than experiment which is 12.49mm and 18.44mm, respectively. The natural frequency recorded from the simulation against vibration are 18.9Hz and 19.32Hz, respectively.