EVALUATION OF EQUIVALENT STIFFNESS AND MAXIMUM AXIAL LOAD OF M2-PANEL SYSTEM WALLS

A new construction method depending on composite panels composed of a Polystyrene corrugated layer surrounded by two concrete layers is tested to prove its effectiveness as wall bearing panels. 3 different full scale specimen 1000mm wide and 3000mm high were fabricated and tested under centric axial load. The tested variables were the thickness of concrete layers surrounding the foam layer and the method of concrete application. Thicknesses of 30 and 35 mm were used and wet shot-crete vs. manual concrete application were evaluated. Test results were analyzed to assess the maximum safe axial load that could be carried by this type of wall, also the equivalent effective stiffness for the walls according to load-lateral deformation behavior was dedicated. Results showed the higher the concrete thickness was, the more load it carried, also showed an increase of axial load capacity for the wet shot-crete method of concrete application over the manual concrete application.