Structural Behaviour of Sandwich Panel Shear Walls: an Experimental Analysis

Within a comprehensive research project devoted to analyze the contributing effect of cladding panels on the structural behaviour of steel frames under horizontal loads, a suitable experimental procedure has been set up in order to characterize the main behavioural parameters of specific shear walls. In particular, with regard to light-weight sandwich panels, which are currently used in building as enclosure elements, monotonic and cyclic full-scale shear tests have been performed on both single connection specimens and pin-jointed steel frames braced by infill panels. Such an activity, whose main results are summarized in this paper, firstly provides the experimental evidence as basis for setting up numerical and analytical interpretative models. Besides, it supplies useful information on the possibility to use this panel typology as shear wall components. Finally, it points out how their shear performance can be improved through simple modifications of standard prototypes.