Enhancement of ductility characteristics of steel faced sandwich panels under extreme loading
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Steel faced sandwich panels with polyurethane foam core PUR are widely used for façade systems, due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and very good thermal properties. For ordinary civil engineering applications, their design is generally controlled by stiffness rather than strength, excepting the under pressure (suction) due to wind, where pullover failure of the fasteners may occur. Accordingly, the ductility and energy absorption demands are not generally specified. For extreme loadings, like those generated by blast, they may suffer extensive damage or destruction, with high potential for collateral risk to occupants. The paper addresses the behavior of sandwich panels under extreme out of plane loads, and factors that may enhance their ductility and energy absorption capacity. Numerical models are calibrated against relevant test data and employed in a parametric study. Appropriate end fastening and lateral stiffness at the supports are particularly effective in increasing the ductility and prevent premature failure of the wall panels.