Structural behavior of axially loaded precast foamed concrete sandwich panels

• FC has a distinctive property of being able to maintain strength to weight ratio characteristic.
• Six PFCSPs varying in height were tested to determine the ultimate axial load till failure.
• The increase in H/t from 14 to 24 is decreased by 26.3% on the ultimate strength of PFCSPs.
• A semi-empirical equation is proposed to accurately fit the experimental and analytical studies approach.

This paper presents results from an experimental and analytical study of precast foamed concrete sandwich panels (PFCSPs). Full-scale experimental tests of six PFCSPs were conducted to study the behavior of the panels under axial loads. Foamed concrete (FC) was used to cast PFCSP concrete wythes. The axial load-bearing capacity, load–deflection profiles, load–strain relationships, slenderness ratio, load–displacement, load–deformation, failure and collapse modes, cracking patterns, and propagations under constant increments of axial loads were recorded and discussed. The properties and use of FC were briefly reviewed. Results of the experimental test and finite element analysis were compared with the theoretical values calculated based on the American Concrete Institute (ACI) design equation for a solid concrete wall and other empirical formulas developed by antecedent researchers which might be applicable to predict the ultimate load-bearing capacity of sandwich panels. A semi-empirical formula was proposed based on the laboratory test and finite element analysis results.