Impact shear resistance of double skin profiled composite wall

This paper presents the behavior of a new form of composite walling system consisting of two skins of profiled steel sheeting and an infill of concrete subjected to in-plane impact loading. Composite wall specimens with overall dimensions of 1626 mm high by 720 mm wide were tested under impact shear loading in two phases, namely Phase I and Phase II (in addition to ones tested under in-plane monotonic shear). In Phase I, impact energy of the projectile was kept low intentionally to capture dynamic characteristics of wall. In Phase II, the impact test was performed with maximum speed of the projectile, which the impact apparatus could produce. The performance of composite walls was judged based on the development of acceleration and top displacement during impact as well as post-impact shear-displacement response, strength/stiffness, energy absorbing capacity, stress development and failure modes. The post-impact shear strength of walls was found to be not reduced (compared to control wall tested under static monotonic loading without impact) after the application of impact energy. The stiffness degradation of the wall after impact was around 8% compared to the control wall. This was an indication of better strength/stiffness retaining capacity of the walls after subjected to impact. Theoretically predicted maximum displacement at the top of the wall at impact was also found to be in good agreement with those obtained from experiments. This research confirmed the suitability of proposed profiled double skin composite wall (DSCW) to be used as impact shear resisting element in framed buildings.