Structural behaviour of sandwich panel shear walls: An experimental analysis

Within a comprehensive research project devoted to analyse the contributing effect of cladding panels on the structural behaviour of steel frames unde r horizontal loads, a suitable experimental procedure has been set up in or der to characterise the main behavioural parameters of specific shear walls . In particular, with regard to lightweight sandwich panels, which are curr ently used in building as enclosure elements, monotonic and cyclic full-sca le shear tests have been performed on both single connection specimens and pin-jointed steel frames braced by infill panels. Such an activity, whose m ain results are summarised in this paper, firstly provides the experimental evidence as basis for setting up numerical and analytical interpretative m odels. Besides, it supplies useful information on the possibility to use th is panel typology as shear wall components. Finally, it points out how thei r shear performance can be improved through simple modifications of standar d prototypes.