Local mechanical behaviour of structural sandwich elements at an intermediate support

R.A. Luimes, A.J.M. Jorissen
Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands

Structural sandwich elements composed of chipboard facings and an EPS core are ideal for application in roof structures. The advantageous properties of chipboard and EPS are used to strive for optimum use of materials, low dead weight, high strength and high thermal insulation capacity. As a consequence, structural sandwich elements are sensitive for local brittle bending tensile failure of the inside of the lower facing at an intermediate support. In this research, an analytical, experimental and numerical analysis of the local mechanical behaviour of structural sandwich elements at an intermediate support is performed. An improved and reliable analytical design approach for this local mechanical behaviour is determined and proposed to be used in practice.

Key words: Sandwich element, EPS, chipboard, local behaviour, brittle bending tensile failure