Evaluation of production quality and mechanical behavior of low-cost shear connectors manufactured with perforated GFRP plates

abstract: Insulated pre-cast concrete wall panels, also called sandwich consist in two external layers, which an internal layer of thermal insulation material is inserted between, aiming better acoustic and performance. One the main concerns regarding performance these panels refers to elimination bridges caused by metallic connectors, jeopardize panels’ efficiency. proposals solve this problem consists use PERFOFRP are plane plates with perforated holes through its thickness, embedded into plates, creating anchorage pins that enhance shear strength layers’ debonding resistance. This research had objective evaluating production quality type connector, produced a low-cost easy-to-use vacuum assisted resin infusion system; considering effects of: (a) plate homogeneity, taking samples from various locations on plate; (b) fabrication repeatability; (c) raw materials’ origin; results (I) ultimate tensile stress, (II) modulus elasticity, (III) volume fraction fibre. Also, 18 specimens form representative models connector insulated six different hole configurations achieved varying holes’ diameter spacing, were subjected push-out tests, assess spacing mechanical connection terms load capacity stiffness. The indicated satisfactory level characteristics variation, considering: variability parts single composite plate, between process, batches. Furthermore, tests demonstrated connectors presented, when compared non-perforated connectors: gain 8% 25%, lower relative displacements, higher levels It was observed 25.40 mm presented than 31.75 holes; reducing 2.00 1.75, for specimens, decrease connector. Thus, it verified variations hole’s influenced carrying connection.