Diaphragm effect of sandwich panels

Full scale tests were carried out within the scope of [5] to investigate the diaphragm action of sandwich panels. Shear diaphragms were constructed to assess the load carrying action of the sandwich panels bracing the structure. The bearing behaviour of the various components contributing to the shear diaphragm effect was investigated in more detail on smaller experimental set ups. These small scale tests include investigations into the screw connections between the sandwich panels and the substructure, as well as a series of tests on the load transfer through the longitudinal joint between the individual panels. The most untapped potential for improvement of the bearing capacity has been found to be the influence of the longitudinal joint. An increased force transmission in the longitudinal joint leads to higher values of stiffness and maximum bearable load of the shear diaphragm. Various methods to improve the contribution of the joints were developed. Of these, the hook-and-loop tape joint reinforcement has been found to yield the best results. Therefore, this reinforcing method has also been investigated in full scale tests. The use of hook-and-loop tape in the longitudinal joint makes the panels acting as one big plate. The impact on the screw connection has been successfully reduced by improving the load transfer in the longitudinal joints.