Numerical and experimental investigation of rotational stiffness of zed-purlins connection with sandwich panels

• Unique method of modelling of the connectors in sandwich purlin-sheeting systems is proposed.
• Experimental verification of the proposed numerical model of sandwich purlin-sheeting systems is described.
• Proposed numerical solution seems to be a suitable tool for modelling of sandwich purlin-sheeting systems.
• The most important issue in the design of sandwich purlin-sheeting systems is to determine the rotational restraint stiffness.

A rotational resistant stiffness of the zed-purlins connection with sandwich panels is investigated. A simple finite element method model of the connection is proposed. The numerical analysis of the model performed by ABAQUS software, in physically linear and geometrically nonlinear ranges, leads to the rotational resistant stiffness sought. The numerical solution obtained is verified experimentally. Two variants of distribution of screws connecting the purlin with the sandwich panel are taken into investigation. A good agreement of both, theoretical and experimental, results should be noticed. Conclusion related to possible application in design practice is formulated.