Experimental characterisation of cork agglomerate core sandwich panels for wall assemblies in buildings

• Solution for sandwich wall panel assemblies, using cork agglomerate as core material.
• Experimental characterisation of cork agglomerate core sandwich wall panel.
• Sandwich wall panel׳s mechanical properties, impact behaviour and fire resistance.

In recent times, the construction market has seen a very significant increase in the demand of prefabricated solutions of nonstructural elements, such as sandwich panels for buildings walls. Due to the inherent low weight, good mechanical behaviour, ease of assembly and cost-effectiveness, these types of wall assemblies are especially competitive in construction of single-family houses or one unit dwelling structures.However, the low fire resistance of many of these solutions, such as sandwich panels with expanded polystyrene core or polyethylene terephthalate foam core, precludes their use in buildings with more than one floor. The substandard fire resistance is generally due to the fact that the constituent materials are combustible or, at least, their properties are extremely sensible when subjected to high temperatures or flame.Given the isolation properties, good mechanical damping and fire resistance, cork agglomerate can be used as the core material for sandwich panels. However, this material is heavier than the other materials commonly used as core for sandwich panels. In order to deal with this drawback, it is necessary to choose a material for the panel facings that could fulfil the mechanical requirements and the condition not excessively increase the panel weight. The use of a glass fibre reinforced polymer seemed a suitable solution for the facing component. Therefore, the proposed wall assembly solution consists in a sandwich panel with cork agglomerate core and glass fibre reinforced polymer facings.The scope of this work was the assessment of the feasibility of a new configuration of vertical (wall) sandwich panels that could, not only be a cost effective solution for prefabricated construction, but also provide good mechanical performance and fire resistance. This sandwich wall panel configuration was tested for characterisation of its mechanical behaviour, resistance to impact and to fire. The results of the experimental campaign carried out are presented in this manuscript along with some conclusions about the suitability of this solution as sandwich wall panel for buildings façades.