Abstract
Keywords
Introduction
Connector designs
Pull-out test
Push-off test
FEA and failure surface identification
Calculation formula of axial strength
Conclusion
CRediT authorship contribution statement
Declaration of competing interest
Acknowledgement
References
ABSTRACT
The sandwich insulation wall panel (SIWP) is an essential component of most building insulation systems. To achieve the satisfactory insulation effect in certain areas, such as Sweden, the thickness of insulation layer in SIWPs can reach 300 mm. However, the shear and axial compressive performances of most existing connectors at this length are unsatisfactory. The authors have previously proposed a novel GFRP connector system suitable for 60–300 mm insulation thickness, and the study on its shear behaviors has been published. This paper focuses on axial loading behaviors of the system. Three types of glass-fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) restraint connectors, named PlateA, PlateB and Cross, were proposed. Pull-out and push-off tests were conducted to investigate their tensile and compressive failure modes. Results show that anchorage zone concrete splitting is the predominate failure mode in all pull–out tests whereas concrete punching failure is the main failure mode in push-off tests. The 300-mm-length PlateA connector and the 300&150-mm-length PlateB connectors buckled before concrete failure. The concrete failure surface was determined, and formulas to calculate axial strength of connectors based on concrete failure modes were established by theoretical and finite element analysis.