This paper describes the experimental tests carried out at the University of Minho using Perfobond connectors and lightweight concrete. The main objective of these tests is to describe the connection behaviour and to analyse and compare the contribution of the different elements to the slip measured between the steel profile and the concrete slab. In this way, it is possible to define the connection ductility. The test configuration follows some of the EC4 recommendations and repeats some dispositions referred to by Oguejiofor and Ferreira. The parameters under study are the concrete strength, the reinforcement disposition and the Perfobond rib existence and spacing of holes. An important comparison with the experimental results achieved by different authors using normal weight concrete may then be established. #

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a b s t r a c tIn this paper, an innovative and thermally efficient sandwich panel is proposed for the structural walls of a pre-fabricated modular housing system. Traditionally, sandwich concrete panels consist of reinforced concrete wythes as outer layers, polystyrene foam as core material and steel connectors. However, steel connectors are known to cause thermal bridges on the building envelope, with possible consequent occurrence of condensation and mould problems. Furthermore, the reduction/optimization of the thickness of conventionally reinforced concrete layers is frequently limited by minimum concrete cover requirements for the protection of the reinforcement from corrosion. To overcome these issues, the proposed sandwich panel comprises Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) connectors and two thin layers of Steel Fibre Reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete (SFRSCC). This paper presents the material and structural concept of the proposed building system. Moreover, the feasibility of using the proposed connectors and SFRSCC on the outer wythes is experimentally investigated through a series of pull-out tests where failure modes and load capacity of the connections are analysed.

a b s t r a c tIn the first part of this paper the authors describe an innovative sandwich panel that comprises Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) connectors and two thin layers of Steel Fibre Reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete (SFRSCC). This second part of the paper reports the investigation performed by the authors based on the numerical simulation of these sandwich panels. The simulations use the Finite Element Method (FEM) software implemented by the second author (FEMIX). Through linear static analyses and consideration of Ultimate Limit State loading scenarios, parametric studies were performed in order to optimise the arrangement of the GFRP connectors and the thickness of the SFRSCC layers. Moreover, models considering a specific nonlinear behaviour of SFRSCC were also constructed in order to simulate the progressive damage of the panel induced by cracking. In the scope of the nonlinear analyses, emphasis is given to parameter estimation of fracture modelling parameters for the fibre reinforced concrete based on both inverse analysis and the fib Model Code.

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ElsevierAbdolpour, H.; Garzón-Roca, J.; Escusa, G.; Sena-Cruz, JM.; Barros, JA.; Valente, IB. (2016). Development of a composite prototype with GFRP profiles and sandwich panels used as a floor module of an emergency house. Composite Structures. 153:81-95. AbstractA series of experimental tests carried out on a composite prototype to be used as a floor module of an emergency house is presented in this paper. The prototype comprises a frame structure formed by GFRP pultruded profiles, and two sandwich panels constituted by GFRP skins and a polyurethane foam core that configures the floor slab.The present work is part of the project ''ClickHouse -Development of a prefabricated emergency house prototype made of composites materials" and investigates the feasibility of the assemblage process of the prototype and performance to support load conditions typical of residential houses. Furthermore, sandwich panels are also independently tested, analysing their flexural response, failure mechanisms and creep behaviour. Obtained results confirm the good performance of the prototype to be used as floor module of an emergency housing, with a good mechanical behaviour and the capacity of being transported to the disaster areas in the form of various low weight segments, and rapidly installed. Additionally, finite element simulations were carried out to assess the stress distributions in the prototype components and to evaluate the global behaviour and load transfer mechanism of the connections.

The Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) connectors studied in this work were previously proposed by the authors for connecting the outer Steel Fibre Reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete (SFRSCC) layers of sandwich panels for prefabricated modular housing. In this building system, SFRSCC was used to totally eliminate the need for conventional reinforcement and to decrease the thickness of the panel's outer layers, with consequent reduction of the global self-weigh of the panels, while GFRP connectors aimed to significantly decrease thermal bridging effects. For a reliable design of the structural elements that make use of these connectors, the mechanical behaviour of this connection should be known and taken into account. The present paper summarizes the results obtained in an experimental research devoted to the assessment of the behaviour of GFRP-SFRSCC connection by performing pullout tests with specimens representative of the developed sandwich panel. The specimens were designed to examine the influence of the number and geometry of holes executed in the GFRP connector that assure the connection between these two materials.

A note on versions:The version presented here may differ from the published version or from the version of record. If you wish to cite this item you are advised to consult the publisher's version. Please see the repository url above for details on accessing the published version and note that access may require a subscription. ABSTRACTA novel framework for probabilistic-based structural assessment of existing structures, which combines model identification and reliability assessment procedures, considering in an objective way different sources of uncertainty, is presented in this paper. A short description of structural assessment applications, provided in literature, is initially given. Then, the developed model identification procedure, supported in a robust optimization algorithm, is presented. Special attention is given to both experimental and numerical errors, to be considered in this algorithm convergence criterion. An updated numerical model is obtained from this process.The reliability assessment procedure, which considers a probabilistic model for the structure in analysis, is then introduced, incorporating the results of the model identification procedure. The developed model is then updated, as new data is acquired, through a Bayesian inference algorithm, explicitly addressing statistical uncertainty.Finally, the developed framework is validated with a set of reinforced concrete beams, which were loaded up to failure in laboratory.