An Investigation on Structural Behaviour and Impact Response of Sandwich Slabs Incorporating Textile Reinforced Fine Grained Cementitious Composites

Abstract

Sandwich elements are made of an insulative core of low density and stiffer wythe on its both sides. It possesses good thermal and acoustic insulation characteristics with good resistance to fire. But, the reinforcements provided in the sandwich elements increase its thickness and make it heavy. Textile reinforcements are of light weight and helps in constructing thin sandwich element as it is corrosion free. Rather than reinforced concrete, textile reinforced cementitious composites require a special type of matrix called fine-grained cementitious composite (FGCC) matrix to ensure that the textiles are properly bonded to the matrix. newlinePast research reveals that the load carrying capacity of sandwich slabs are low and it mainly fails by delamination of core and wythe even with the use of shear connectors. Shear connectors increase the weight of the sandwich element. Textile reinforced sandwich elements are also prompt to delamination, and the degree of composite action improved to a maximum of less than 5 % using shear grids. Polymeric foam cores were used as insulation material in most of the sandwich elements. The matrix used for textile reinforcements are of fine size and results in multiple cracking with increasing crack widths newline