Structural Behavior of Insulated Prestressed Concrete Sandwich Panels Reinforced with FRP Grid

ABSTRACT

This paper presents an experimental program conducted at North Carolina State University to investigate the behavior of concrete sandwich wall panels reinforced with carbonfiber shear connection grid. The study included testing of full-size precast sandwich panels consisting of two wythes of prestressed concrete and an inner layer of rigid foam. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) grid, commercially known as C-GRID, was used at selected locations to achieve composite action between the two concrete wythes. Panels were tested vertically in a frame that allowed simultaneous application of gravity and reverse cyclic lateral loads. Strain measurements taken through the thickness of each panel were used to evaluate the level of composite action achieved. A total of four specimens were tested to evaluate parameters including the wythe and core thicknesses, type of foam core, amount and configuration of CFRP shear reinforcement, and inclusion of solid concrete zones.