ECCS 127_Final.FH10 - e-Konstrukcije

ECCS / CIB Joint Committee
2009
International Council for Research and
Innovation in Building and Construction
ECCS TC7 - Working Group TWG 7.9
Sandwich Panels and Related Structures
CIB Working Commission W056
Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the
Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
ECCS Nº 127
CIB Nº 320

ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
ECCS TC7 TWG 7.9
Sandwich panels and Related structures
CIB Working Commission
W056 Sandwich Panels
ECCS/CIB Joint Committee
Preliminary European Recommendations for the
Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich
Panels
1 st Edition, 2009
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations
for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Nº127, 1 st edition, 2009
Published by:
ECCS – European Convention for Constructional Steelwork
publications@steelconstruct.com
www.steelconstruct.com
All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
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ECCS assumes no liability regarding the use for any application of the material and
information contained in this publication.
Copyright © 2009 ECCS – European Convention for Constructional Steelwork
ISBN: 92-9147-000-93
Printed in Multicomp, Lda - Mem Martins, Portugal
Photo cover credits: Simo Heikkilä
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
PREFACE
Preface
The European product standard for sandwich panels, EN 14509, covers the requirements
and verification methods for the essential properties of factory made sandwich panel products.
Fastenings are typically made at a building site outside the factory. Thus, fastenings are not a
subject for a European product standard. The European Recommendations, CIB Publication
No. 257 and ECCS Publication No. 115, published in 2000 and 2001, give loading
arrangements and procudures with which to determine the tensile and shear resistance of both
direct and concealed fastenings. These new recommendations update the previously
published procedures for fastenings and extend the concept to include also fastenings fixed in
a face layer.
The sources of information taken into account in the writing of these recommendations
have included the previously published recommendations, relevant new research results and
the current practice with regard to the available screw fastenings and concealed fastenings.
The resulting recommendations are believed to be particularly applicable to the typical metal
sheet-faced sandwich panels with cores of polyurethane or polystyrene foam or mineral wool
which are on the market today. However, the rules and methods can be applied to other and
new types of fastenings and sandwich panel products. When applying these
recommendations, the user shall take into account the mechanical behaviour of the fastening
in practice and shall take care to ensure the correspondence of the observed behaviour and
resistance of the fastening in the tests and the actual behaviour in practice.
The recommendations are published as “Preliminary European Recommendations for the
Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels”. There are two reasons for the prefix
“preliminary”. The status of full-scale tests, when compared to tests using small-size
specimens requires clearer definition. The rules for the adjustment of test results to nomimal
values of the essential properties of the face and core materials require more detailed study in
order to cover more reliably all types of core materals. Research anticipated in near future
may provide the required information and make possible the publication of this document as
“European Recommendations”.
The following individual members of ECCS TWG 7.9 and CIB W56 have taken part in
the drafting of this document:
Wim Bakens (NED), Klaus Berner (GER), Gianni Bottega (ITA), Sebastien Charton (FRA),
Neus Comas (SPA), J.M. Davies (GBR), Stéphane Gilliot (FRA), Johan Gustafsson (SWE),
Paavo Hassinen (FIN, chairman of ECCS TWG 7.9 and CIB W56), Antti Helenius (FIN),
Lars Heselius (FIN), David Izabel (FRA), Karsten Kathage (GER), Maciej Kubanek (POL),
Martin Lamers (NED), Jörg Lange (GER), Thomas Misiek (GER), Jan-Christer Mäki (SWE),
Lars Pfeiffer (GER), Ralf Podleschny (GER), Helmut Saal (GER), Johan Schedin (BEL), Ton
Tomá (NED) and Danijel Zupancic (SVN).
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
The technology of structural sandwich panels continues to advance, and this requires that
the guidelines for the design, testing and use of sandwich structures and their fastenings will
continue to develop. ECCS TC7 and CIB W56 will, therefore, welcome critical comments
and proposals to improve this document.
Jörg Lange
Chairman of ECCS TC 7
4
Paavo Hassinen
Chairman of ECCS TWG 7.9 and
Coordinator of CIB W56
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
CONTENTS
Contents
PREFACE ................................................................................................................................. 3
1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 7
1.1 General ......................................................................................................................... 7
1.2 Symbols and notations ................................................................................................. 8
1.3 Definitions ................................................................................................................... 9
2. TESTING OF FASTENINGS USED TO FIX THE PANELS TO THE
FRAMES OF BUILDINGS ................................................................................................... 11
2.1 General remarks ......................................................................................................... 11
2.2 Tensile resistance of fastenings ................................................................................. 14
2.2.1 Tensile failure modes .......................................................................................... 14
2.2.2 Testing of screw fastenings based on small sandwich panel specimens ............. 15
2.2.3 Testing of concealed fastenings based on small sandwich panel specimens ...... 18
2.2.4 Full-scale tests ..................................................................................................... 22
2.3 Shear resistance of fastenings .................................................................................... 25
2.4 Resistance of a screw to imposed deflection ............................................................. 28
3. TESTING OF FASTENINGS INSTALLED TO A FACE LAYER ................... 31
3.1 Tensile resistance ....................................................................................................... 31
3.2 Shear resistance ......................................................................................................... 32
4. ADDITIONAL TESTS ............................................................................................ 33
5. EVALUATION OF THE TEST RESULTS .......................................................... 35
5.1 Adjustment of the test results to nominal values ....................................................... 35
5.2 Characteristic tensile and shear resistance of fastenings ........................................... 36
6. DESIGN OF FASTENINGS ................................................................................... 39
6.1 Material factors of fastenings .................................................................................... 39
6.2 Effects of actions on fastenings ................................................................................. 39
6.3 Design for failure modes involving tensile and shear interaction ............................. 40
6.4 Interaction between the fastening and the sandwich panel ........................................ 40
REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................... 43
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
ANNEX A SMALL-SCALE TENSILE TEST BASED ON STEEL SHEET STRIP ..... 45
ANNEX B (INFORMATIVE), DESCRIPTION OF THE TEST SERIES FOR
FASTENINGS, A PROPOSAL BASED ON NEEDS OF THE INDUSTRY ................... 49
ANNEX C DESIGN EXAMPLE ......................................................................................... 51
6
C.1 Analysis of the test results for a direct screw fastening ................................................ 51
C.2 Load-span table for a single-span wall panel ................................................................ 52
C.3 Design of the fastenings for a two-span wall panel ..................................................... 56
ANNEX D RELATIVE DISPLACEMENT BETWEEN THE INTERNAL AND
EXTERNAL FACE ................................................................................................................ 59
D.1 Mechanisms which cause deflections .......................................................................... 59
D.2 Calculation procedures for γ and γ1 ............................................................................. 60
D.2.1 Sandwich panels with flat faces ........................................................................... 61
D.2.1.1 Simply supported panel with uniformly distributed load qo ....................... 61
D.2.1.2 Simply supported panel with a line load parallel to the supports .............. 61
D.2.1.3 Simply supported panel with a temperature difference between the faces. 61
D.2.1.4 Continuous panels ...................................................................................... 62
D.2.2 Sandwich panels with profiled faces .................................................................... 62
D.2.2.1 Simply supported panel with uniformly distributed load qo ....................... 62
D.2.2.2 Simply supported panel with a line load parallel to supports .................... 62
D.2.2.3 Simply supported panel with a temperature difference between the faces. 62
D.2.2.4 Continuous panels ...................................................................................... 63
D.2.3 Approximate calculation for single or multi-span panels with flat or profiled
faces .................................................................................................................... 63
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 General
Introduction
The European product standard for sandwich panels, EN 14509 1 , provides the essential
requirements for sandwich panels used to cover the walls and roofs of buildings and to isolate
spaces inside buildings. Furthermore, the standard gives detailed test methods for the
experimental determination of the properties relevant to the Construction Products Directive.
The standard, therefore, covers the basic properties of the factory made panels but does not
give information about the fastenings, which are made on a construction site. These
Recommendations, together with the standard, provide complete guidance for the testing and
design of sandwich panels systems. The Recommendations describe the testing and design of
the fastenings used to fix sandwich panels to the frames or to the supporting beams of a
building. They introduce, for the first time, the testing and design of fastenings fixed to one
face layer of a sandwich panel only. Full-scale tests are introduced in order to provide a
testing and verification method for complete sandwich panels systems including the
fastenings. Such testing programmes should not be limited to the fastenings alone. Additional
testing is also required to identify the properties of the core and face layers of the test
specimens.
Testing methods for fastenings have previously been introduced in European
Recommendations for Sandwich panels published by CIB in 2000 and ECCS in 2001. These
Recommendations update the earlier rules and expand the area of application to include
concealed fastenings and fastenings fixed to a face layer, only. The Recommendations
introduce methods to verify the mechanical resistance of fastenings used in typical wall and
roof covering applications. They do not cover the testing and design of more advanced
applications such as the fastening systems of shear walls, axially loaded panels, or fastenings
subject to seismic actions. Other important issues in practice are the durability and the
material compatibility of the fastenings in the long term. These items are outside of the scope
of the Recommendations.
Common types of fasteners used to fix sandwich panels to the frames or to the supporting
beams are screws drilled through the panels or concealed fastenings placed in the longitudinal
or transverse joints of the panels. The screws may have different sizes of washers, different
diameters of the screw head and shaft, different geometries and dimensions of the threads in
the shaft and finally different structures of the screw ends in order to make it possible to drill
through different materials and material thicknesses of the sub-structure. The structure of
concealed fastenings is less standardised and, in general, they are product-specific systems
developed to be compatible with a specific joint geometry in a specific panel. However, the
testing arrangements, analysis of the test results and the principles of design are similar in all
of these fastening systems.
1
EN14509:2006-11: Self-supporting double skin metal faced insulating panels – Factory made products –
Specifications
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
The need may arise to mount items such as skylights or coverings made of alternative
sheet materials or glass panes to a face of a sandwich panel. If the weight of the additional
elements is relatively small, the fixing is readily made to the face layer only in order to avoid
holes passing through the complete sandwich panel. The fasteners may be screws or rivets
made of steel or aluminium. The Recommendations provide test arrangements to determine
the tensile and shear resistance of the fastenings together with guidance for the design the
fastenings. It is emphasized that, in the design of the screws fixed to a single face layer, the
real effects of actions caused by the items to be mounted in a face shall be carefully be studied
together with any possible additional mechanical loads to which these items may be exposed.
European product standard EN 14509 covers metal faced sandwich panels with a core
made of any of the following: rigid polyurethane foam, expanded or extruded polystyrene
foam, phenolic foam, cellular glass or mineral wool. There is adequate experience in the
market regarding the long-term behaviour and resistance of polyurethane and polystyrene
foam and mineral wool cored sandwich panels including the performance of the fastenings.
The properties of panels and fastenings with phenolic foam and foam glass cores are, at the
time of writing these Recommendations, less well known. For the lesser known products, fullscale
tests with fastenings are recommended and, possibly, specific tests should be developed
in order to establish the potential modes of failure.
The properties and resistance of fastenings have influence on the behaviour of complete
sandwich panels. The flexibility of the fastenings changes the deflection of the sandwich
panels and has an influence on the bending moment and shear force diagrams of continuous
multi-span sandwich panels. The number and location of fastenings at intermediate supports
has a direct influence on the bending moment resistance at an intermediate support. The
interactions between the fastenings and the panels are briefly introduced in these
Recommendations.
1.2 Symbols and notations
8
B overall width of the panel
Bs bending rigidity of the sandwich part of a cross-section
d diameter of a screw, washer
e base of natural logarithm (e = 2.718282)
eC effective depth of the sandwich panel
e1, e2, e3, e4 distance
f1, f2, f3 adjustment factors
fCc, fCv, fCt compressive, shear and tensile strength of the core layer
fy yield stress of a metal sheet
F load, force
k coefficient to determine the level of repeated loads
kσ fractile factor
L span length
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
n number of tests
Rp0.2 stress at a non-proportional extension of 0.2%
ReH upper yield strength of metal material
Rm tensile strength of metal material
S shear rigidity of a sandwich panel
design thickness and nominal and observed thickness of the face sheet
t, tnom, tobs
t1 thickness of the substructure
u displacement
w deflection
ΔT change of temperature, thermal gradient
γM material factor
γM2 material factor for fastenings for ultimate limit state verification
γM.SER material factor for fastenings for serviceability limit state verification
Subscripts
C core layer of the sandwich panel
F face layer of the sandwich panel
R resistance
d design value
k characteristic value
nom nominal value
obs measured value in a test
rep repeated load
t tension
u ultimate
v shear
1.3 Definitions
Introduction
Core layer of material, which is bonded between the internal
and external faces
extended applications applicability of the test results when extended to a larger
group of panels and fastenings
face layer flat, lightly profiled or profiled thin metal sheet firmly
family of sandwich panel
products
bonded to the core
group of products, for which the test results for one or
more charactristics of one product in the family are valid
for all other products within the family. In testing the
principle of “worst case” shall apply
Fastening a point of connection between the sandwich panel and
its supporting framework or a point of connection in a
face of a sandwich panel
full-scale test test in which the dimensions and loading correspond to
the real installation in practice
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
10
concealed fastening hidden fastening placed typically in a longitudinal joint
between two panels
nominal thickness thickness given in the product information table
pull-over failure mode, in which the head and washer of the screw
penetrates through the face layer of the panel
pull-out failure mode, in which the end of the screw becomes
unfastened from the substructure
rivet fastener nail or bolt, the ends of which are pressed to form heads
against the surfaces of the sheets to be fastened
sandwich panel building product consisting of two metal faces
positioned on either side of a core and firmly bonded to
each other so as to act compositely under load
screw fastener metal pin with a spiral ridge along its shaft that is
fastened to the substructure by turning
small-scale test test based on a representative part of the structure,
which shows the real failure mode and describes in an
acceptable way the load – deformation behaviour of the
actual assembly
steel core thickness The thickness of the pure metal sheet layer alone.
In case of zinc-coated steel faces, the steel core
thickness is the nominal thickness minus the thickness
of zinc layers.
sub-structure structure into which the fasteners of the sandwich panel
are fixed
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Testing of fastenings used to fix the panels to the frames of buildings
2. TESTING OF FASTENINGS USED TO FIX THE PANELS TO THE
FRAMES OF BUILDINGS
2.1 General remarks
The procedures given in this chapter can be used to determine the load-carrying
resistance of fastenings in order to transfer local tensile and/or shear loads to a panel. The
fastenings may be based on screws drilled through the panel or on other similar types of
fastening. The test arrangements have previously been described in Refs. /CIB 2000/ and
/ECCS 2001/. These Recommendations update the arrangements and expand the areas of
application to cover also concealed fastenings. When applying the results in practice,
particular attention should be given to:
• type and combination of loading
• thickness, material and strength of the supporting member
• type and dimensions of the fastener including the head and washer etc.
• stiffness and strength of the core
• thickness and strength of the face materials
• end and edge distances of the fastenings and
• geometric details of a concealed fastening
It is a good practice to include a minimum of ten similar static tests and five similar
dynamic tests in any test series on fastenings. However, the number of individual tests in a
series may be less if the influence of several parameters are studied in related series of tests.
The test arrangements given in the Recommendations are primarily used to determine the
ultimate resistance and the stiffness of the fastening. There may be the requirement to limit
the capacity of a fastening because of increased deformations due to the repeated loading,
because of visual damage or loss of water tightness or because of other effects at the
serviceability limit state. At the present time, there are no definitions for the serviceability
limit state failures of fastenings. Thus, there are no direct test methods and requirements for
the determination of the resistance of fastenings limited by failure or unacceptable
performance at the serviceability limit state. A technical limit can possibly be derived from
the load level at which the load-deformation curve first becomes non-linear (sections 2.2.3
and 2.2.4).
Test series include both static tests and tests with repeated load. The repeated loading
history used in the tests depends on the action that is simulated in the test. Fastenings are
loaded by repeated wind load with or without additional effects caused by vibrations.
Repeated wind load without additional vibrations is covered by approximately 5000 cycles in
the tests. Fastenings are loaded also by other environmental loads such as changes and
differences in the temperature. The loading history in the full-scale tests (section 2.2.4) and in
the bending test on an individual fastener (section 2.4) include the temperature effects and
require a larger number of load cycles.
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
NOTE:
National application documents may require other load histories and other number of cycles
to be used in the tests.
The Recommendations provide alternative tests to study the tensile resistance of the
fastenings of sandwich panels. Table 1 gives guidance regarding the choice of the appropriate
test method in each case. The application of shear tests and the tests for fastenings fixed in a
face sheet are also briefly introduced.
Property of the
fastening
Tensile resistance
of direct and
concealed
fastenings
Shear resistance
of the fastening
Shear resistance
of a sandwich
wall
Resistance of a
screw fastener to
deflection of
screw shaft
Tensile resistance
of fastenings in
one face
12
Table 1: Application of the test methods for fastenings.
Type of test When to apply the test Section
Full-scale test
static loading tests
Test based on small
sandwich panel
specimen
Pull-over resistance of
screw fastening based on
metal sheet strips
Shear resistance of the
internal face
Full-scale shear test
including several panels
and fastenings
Test with repeated
loading history
Full-scale test
repeated loading tests
Test based on small
sandwich panel
specimen
- a general procedure to test
the complete sandwich
panel system with
fastenings
- for a more accurate
determination of the
resistance
- if a scale effect has a large
influence on the behaviour
- for known core materials *
- when the scale-effect of the
panel and fastenings is
known
- to have a quick estimate
(conservative approach) for
the pull-over resistance
- normal use of sandwich
panels as covering
elements
- to study the diaphragm
action and resistance of a
shear wall
2.2.4
2.2.2
2.2.3
Annex A
2.3
tests
arrangements
case by case
- for all screw fasteners 2.4
- in the case of a scale effect
- if basic values cannot be
applied
- when the action effect on
the fastening is known
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2.2.4
3.1

ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Shear resistance
of fastenings in
one face
Test based on small
sandwich panel
specimen
Testing of fastenings used to fix the panels to the frames of buildings
- when the action effect on
the fastening is known
* known core materials and sandwich panel products at the time of writing the
Recommendations are rigid polyurethane foams, expanded and extruded polystyrene foams
and mineral wools
The test series may cover a family of sandwich panel products. In a family, the panels
shall have similar profiling in the faces, the same core material though with varying depths
combined with similar fasteners whose length will vary according to the depth of the core
material. Typically, panels with the smallest and the largest depth in the production are
chosen for the test series. If there is a large variation between the test results with the smallest
and largest panel depths, the tests may be completed with tests on a panel of average depth.
The test results for panel depths between the depths used in the tests, may be estimated by
linear interpolation. Similar face profiling in a product family may cover, for instance, all the
panels classified to be thin faced panels, i.e., flat, microprofiled and slightly profiled faces of
the panel, the other properties of which are similar. However, the metal sheet thickness shall
remain the same, usually corresponding the thinnest face thickness used in the production of
the panels in the family. The term ‘similar fastener’ means the same screw or special fastener
with the same washer type and diameter. However, the end distance may vary in the test
series, which shall then be taken into account in the analysis of the test results.
A change of a parameter in the fastening may cause a small or a large effect in the
resistance of the fastening. The analysis in Table 2 evaluates the effect of a change of a
parameter in the tensile resistance of fastening and thus gives indicative advice regarding the
need for a further test series. Because of the large number of combinations of types of
fasteners and sandwich panels, the analysis in Table 2 is schematic without numerical
requirements.
Table 2: Extended applications of fastenings tested in tensile tests. Indicative advice regarding the need for
further tests because of a change of a parameter in a screw fastening.
Parameter in the fastening
Diameter of the washer
Diameter of the drill-point or
Pre-drilled hole
Head style or
diameter of the head
Sheet thickness (in contact to
washer and head)
3.2
Change (increase or decrease) of
the parameter
Action
increase use available test results
decrease retest
increase retest
decrease use available test results
increase use available test results
decrease retest
increase use available test results
decrease retest
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Depth of profiling of a flat or
lightly profiled face against
increase use available test results
the head of a fastener (d ≤
3mm)
Depth of lining of a profiled
decrease retest *
face
(d > 3mm)
increase/decrease retest
Test results for end support to use for intermediate support use available test results
Test results for intermediate
support
to use for end support retest
Edge distance at an end
increase use available test results
support
decrease retest
* it is a good practice to test a flat-faced panel, in which the flat face is against the head of the
screw, and to then apply the results to panels with slightly profiled faces
2.2 Tensile resistance of fastenings
2.2.1 Tensile failure modes
The tensile failure modes to be taken into account in the testing and design are pull-over
failure through the external face layer of a sandwich panel, pull-out failure of the fastener
from the sub-structure and failure of the fastener itself (Fig. 1). Other failure modes, such as
shear failure of the panel around the fasteners or distorsion of the longitudinal joint as well as
the combined modes consisting of failure at the fastening and of the global buckling, shear or
compression failure of the cross-section, may also take place.
14
( F , F
, F )
F Rtk min Rt.
pull over.
k Rt.
fastener failure.
k Rt.
pull out.
k
= (2.1)
All types of failure mode may occur in the tests described in this chapter. The particular
failure modes, which occur only in the fastenings of sandwich panels, are pull-over failure of
the head of the fastener through the face supported by the core layer and bending failure of the
fastener. Test methods to study the tensile resistance in the case of these particular failures
are introduced in these Recommendations. Pull-out failure and tensile failure of the fastener
itself may also occur in structures consisting entirely of steel elements. General guidelines for
testing and design with regard to pull-out failure and failure of the fastener itself can be found
in EN 1993-1-3. Test arrangements to study the pull-out failure are given in ECCS
publication No. 124.
Small-scale tests make it possible to study the influence of a large number of parameters
easily. The arrangements for appropriate small-scale tests are given in sections 2.2.2 and
2.2.3. If the failure mode appearing in a small-scale test is not a tensile failure of the
fastening system, but is a shear or wrinkling failure of the specimen, either the test
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Testing of fastenings used to fix the panels to the frames of buildings
arrangements shall be modfied in order to obtain a failure of the fastening or, alternatively,
full-scale tests shall be considered.
Full-scale tests show the complete behaviour, failure modes and the resistance of the
panels including the failure of the panel and/or the failure of fastenings. Full-scale tests
therefore give a complete picture and full information regarding the response and progress of
the failure. Arrangements for full-scale tests, based on the ref [UEATC], are given in section
2.2.4.
pull-over failure,
test arrangements in
section 2.2
failure of fastener,
shall be studied by
the manufacturer of
the fastener
pull-out failure,
see refs.
Fig. 1: Failure modes of a screw fastening between the sandwich panel and a sub-structure.
2.2.2 Testing of screw fastenings based on small sandwich panel specimens
Screw fastenings based on long screws drilled through the sandwich panel to the substructure
are also termed “direct fastenings” in order to make a distinction with concealed
fastenings, which are normally also based on screws but may also include other elements. An
alternative term for concealed fastening is “indirect fastening”.
Separate tests shall be carried out for screw fastenings at the end support of a panel and
for fastenings at an intermediate support as shown in Fig. 2. In tests carried out in order to
determine the tensile resistance at an end support, the minimum distance between the fastener
and the end of the panel (e1) shall be used. The distances (e2, e3, e4) shall be sufficiently large
that the failure mode of the fastening is not influenced by the supports or edges. However,
these distances shall not be so large that they allow global failure of the cross-section of the
specimen by buckling, shear or compression to dominate the test.
The load or displacement shall be increased monotonically up to the ultimate load. The
use of a displacement-controlled testing machine is to be preferred. The loading rate shall be
such as to result in a failure between 3 and 5 minutes after the commencement of the test.
The local displacement at the fastening may be measured during the course of the test up to a
point close to the maximum load as shown in Fig. 3. The local tensile displacement in the
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
fastening is defined as w = w1 - w2 (see Fig. 2). Load versus displacement values may be
used when determining the stiffness of the fastening in the depth direction of the panel in
order to model the stiffness of the supports in the static analysis of the sandwich panels. The
displacement close to the maximum load may be needed in the classification of the failure.
The ultimate failure load and the mode of failure (pull through, pull out, failure of
fastener itself or any other mode of failure) shall be recorded.
If the fastening is exposed to repeated loading, such as a wall panel loaded by a wind
load, repeated loading tests shall be carried out in order to determine the resistance of the
fastening after a repeated loading history. The repeated loading history consisting of 5000
loading cycles (see section 2.1) is appropriate for the wind loading of normal wall panels.
Loading histories for other cases, in which other action effects such as vibrations cause
repeated loading, have to be defined on a case by case basis. In each cycle, the minimum and
maximum loads are 0.1 k FRt and k FRt, in which FRt is the mean tensile resistance determined
in the static loading tests. A value of k = 0,5 is recommended at the commencement of the
tests, but may be adjusted if failure occurs at an early stage.
At least five repeated load tests shall be performed. The cyclic loading frequency in the
test shall not exceed 5 Hz. After the application of the repeated loads, the specimen shall be
loaded up to the ultimate limit state by a monotonically increasing static load.
The mean of the maximum loads under static loading, FRt,residual, shall be equal to or
higher than 1.3 k FRt. If this requirement is not fulfilled, k shall be decreased. The tensile
resistance of the fastening for repeated loading FRtk.rep is taken to be the minimum value of (2
k FRtk) and FRtk, where FRtk is the characteristic value of the results of the static tests preceding
the repeated loading tests.
16
( 2k
F F )
F ,
Rtk.
rep = min Rtk Rtk
(2.2)
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
eC
a) end support
b) intermediate support
eC
w 2
e 1
w 1
F
e 2
e 4
F
Testing of fastenings used to fix the panels to the frames of buildings
direction of span
w 1
w 2
e 4
e1 corresponds to the minimum edge distance defined by the manufacturer
e2 ≥ max{eC, 100 mm}
e3 ≥ B/4 where B is the overall width of the panel
e4 ≥ 400 mm
Fig. 2: Testing of the tensile resistance of a fastening at an end and at an intermediate support. The fastening is
typically a screw drilled through the sandwich panel to the supporting structure. The distances (e2, e3 and e4) are
recommendations and shall be studied separately in each case taking into account the minimum and maximum
edge distances used in practice.
NOTES:
Tests with a larger span should be made in order to assess the influence of the span.
If the diameter of the washer of the screw fastener is equal to or greater than 19 mm, the
characteristic tensile resistance of the fastening with respect to repeated loading may be
taken to be
FRtk.rep = 0.66 FRtk and no repeated loading tests are required.
If the deviation of the load-displacement curve from the linear estimate of the initial slope
takes place at load less than 0.5 Fu, a limit for the load at the serviceability limit state may
be required.
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e 3
e 3
17

ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
18
Load [kN]
5
4
3
2
1
ultimate load Fu
0
0 10 20 30 40 50
Displacement [mm]
experimental
linear estimate
Fig. 3: Example illustrating the tensile load – displacement curve of a direct screw fastening and the
determination of the ultimate load.
2.2.3 Testing of concealed fastenings based on small sandwich panel specimens
Concealed fastenings can be placed in either the longitudinal or the transverse joints
between two sandwich panels. Fig 4 illustrates some common concealed fastening systems
fixed to the external face of the sandwich panel. Concealed fixings typically include special
profiles and plates and one or more screws. The test arrangements shall correspond the real
combination and installation with respect to any additional profiles, parts and screws.
Concealed fastenings may also be based on fixing the internal face only. However, this
system is not recommended, because the local transverse tensile stresses in the core may
cause brittle failure of the complete fastening.
In general, the same principles of testing can be applied to hidden fastenings in both
longitudinal and transverse joints. The difference is in the support system of the specimens
(see Figs. 5 and 6).
The test specimen shall consist of two pieces of the sandwich panel, one with tongue
geometry and the other with groove geometry, that are jointed to incorporate the concealed
fastening. The pieces are fixed together using two cross beams which also serve to prevent
the separation of the pieces during the test. The test arrangement shall simulate the real joint
configuration. The distance between the fastening and the edge of the support (e2 or e4) shall
be chosen such that the edge does not have primary influence on the failure mode of the
fastening. In principle, the test configuration described for concealed fastenings at an
intermediate support can also be utilised for testing at an end support (Fig. 5).
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Testing of fastenings used to fix the panels to the frames of buildings
The loading arrangement for a concealed fastening placed in the transverse joint is shown
in Fig. 6. Two pieces of sandwich panels are both supported at two points. The cantilever
with the concealed fastening is loaded in order to simulate the loading on the fastening.
a)
b)
c)
d)
concealed fixing
sealing strip
distributor
load distributor
sealing strip
distributor
load distributor
sealing strip
distributor
clamb
sealing strip
distributor
Fig. 4: Examples of concealed fastenings placed in the longitudinal joints (a…e) and in the transverse joints
(f…h) of sandwich panels.
The concealed fastening is loaded in increments. The speed of the cross head needs to be
chosen so that a failure occurs within three to five minutes after the commencement of the
testing. The load applied to the fastening should be recorded continuously with an adequate
accuracy. In order to determine the flexibility of the fastening, the movement between the
moving head and the sandwich panel should be measured. This can be achieved in one of two
ways:
e)
f)
g)
h)
saddle washer
cover plate
sealing strip
distributor
transverse joint with cover plate
insulation
transverse joint with cover plate
insulation
insulation
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19

ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
20
1. a displacement transducer may be mounted on the moving cross head
2. the displacement may be measured at at least two points close to the fixing and the
average displacement is subtracted from the cross head movement (Fig. 7)
The measured movement shall represent the local displacement of the fastening. Thus,
the global displacements of the specimen have to be subtracted from the measurements.
a) end support
eC
b) intermediate support
eC
w 1
e 1
w 2
F
e 2
w 1
e 4
F
w 2
direction of span
e 4
e1 corresponds to the minimum edge distance defined by the manufacturer
e2 ≥ max{eC, 100 mm}
e3 ≥ B/4 where B is the overall width of the panel
e4 ≥ 400 mm
Fig. 5: Testing of the tensile resistance of a concealed fastening placed in the longitudinal joint at an end and
intermediate support. The distances (e2, e3 and e4) are recommendations and shall be determined separately for
each case.
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e 3
e 3
e 3
e 3

ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
e1 ≥ max{eC, 100 mm}
Testing of fastenings used to fix the panels to the frames of buildings
e2 ≥ B/4 where B is the overall width of the panel
Fig. 6: Testing of the tensile resistance of a concealed fastening placed in the transverse joint between two
panels. The distances (e1 and e2) are recommendations and shall be determined separately for each case taking
into account the real distances used in practice.
For the determination of plastic deformations one test shall be carried out by unloading
and re-loading the specimen at a minimum of 5 intervals. The load-deflection curve shall be
drawn.
If the concealed fastening is exposed to the action effects of repeated loading, repeated
loading tests shall be carried out in order to verify the tensile resistance of the concealed
fastening. The guidelines given in 2.2.2 for repeated loading tests shall be applied.
Load [kN]
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
displacement
in fastening
F
ultimate load Fu
specimen
crosshead
direction of span
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Displacement [mm]
Fig. 7: Load – deflection curve and determination of the ultimate load for a concealed fastening.
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w
e1
e2
21

ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
2.2.4 Full-scale tests
Specimens for full-scale tests consist of single- and two-span panels fixed to supports
with the appropriate fastenings. Tests with panels continuous over two-spans are required
only when continuous multi-span panels are included in the practical applications of the
panel. A full-scale sandwich panel loaded with negative distributed load or equivalent line
loads simulates the real behaviour of the panel and the fastenings simultaneously. A full-scale
test allows possible failures in the fastening as well as in the face and core to be observed and
recorded. It reveals the behaviour of the panels and the dominant mode of failure including
failure of the fastening and local and global failures of the panel. Thus, a full-scale test shows
the detailed behaviour at the serviceability limit state and the progress of failure up to the
ultimte limit state. Full-scale tests make it possible to study and to optimize the performance
of the sandwich panel system including the fastenings. The modes of failure and failure loads
in full-scale tests depend on the depth and the span of the panel. Thus, tests with several
panels depths and span lengths are usually required.
Full-scale test arrangements are shown in the UEAtc guidelines 2 . The results of a fullscale
test are directly applicable to the specimen (span, depth etc) and the loading case used in
the test. The application of the test results can be extended by interpolating between the test
spans or between the other parameters used in the tests for otherwise identical structural
systems.
Full-scale tests are an alternative approach to tests with small-scale specimens. Full-scale
tests can also be used as verification tests in order to check the fulfilment of the predicted
response and resistance in special cases.
In general, a set of full-scale tests consist of the following static tests
- based on single-span loading arrangements, a test on a small, an intermediate and a
large span with panels having a small, an intermediate and a large panel depth: that
is a total of 3 x 3 = 9 tests and
- where required, based on continuous two-span loading arrangements, a test on a
small, an intermediate and a large span with panels having a small, an intermediate
and a large panel depth: that is a total of 3 x 3 = 9 tests
Thus, the test series includes a total of 9 + 9 = 18 tests. Where the face thicknesses also
vary, the minimum face thicknesses are generally used in the tests.
In principle, full-scale tests are serviceability limit state tests using the following the
procedure;
- determine the failure of the fastening in static tests
2
UEAtc Technical Report for Assessment of Installations using Sandwich Panels with a CFC-free polyurethane
foam, 1996
22
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Testing of fastenings used to fix the panels to the frames of buildings
- define the serviceability limit load F1 based on the results of the static tests.
Generally, F1 is chosen as a value between Fstatic.u/3 and Fstatic.u/2, taking into account
the deflection limit of L/200 where Fstatic.u is the ultimate load in a static test.
- carry out the required tests with repeated loading
- carry out the static tests that are required after the repeated loading tests
- compare the ultimate load reached in the static tests to the load F1 and make
conclusions regarding the characteristic resistance of the panel
The test panel is mounted on two or three supports using the specific type, number and
distribution of the fastenings which are to be studied in the test. The span lengths of the
specimens represent the maximal, minimum and an intermediate span for the maximum load
applied during the service life of the panel (Fig. 8).
support
0.25 F 0.25 F 0.25 F 0.25 F support
0.1 L 0.3 L 0.2 L
displacement transducer
0.3 L 0.1 L
single-span specimen
support 0.25 F 0.25 F support 0.25 F 0.25 F
support
displacement transducer
0.125 L 0.525 L 0.35 L 0.35 L 0.525 L 0.125 L
two-span specimen
Fig. 8: Loading arrangements in the full-scale test based on equivalent line loads.
The loading may also be based on distributed loads. The direction of the loading is negative causing tensile
loading of the fastenings.
The given load level in a full-scale test is denoted by F1 which generally represents the
highest unfactored load caused by the mechanical and environmental loads on the structure.
The test shall be executed with a single-span and, where required, with a continuous two-span
arrangement (Fig. 8).
The full-scale test specimen shall be loaded with a repeated loading history including
- a loading of 50000 cycles between F1/4 and 3F1/4,
- a loading of 20000 cycles between F1/2 and F1 and
- a loading of 8000 cycles between F1/2 and 3F1/2.
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23

ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
The maximum frequency of the loading is 20 cycles per minute. The displacements and
deformations of the panel and the possible failures in the faces and in the core and finally, the
local deformations close to the fastenings shall be controlled and recorded
NOTE:
The load cycles in the loading history have the following background.
- 50 000 cycles represent the effects of the normal wind on the panels during the
service life of the panel in the building and
- 8000 cycles the effects of the extreme wind on the panels during the service life of
the panels in the building
After the cyclic loading phase, the specimen shall be loaded with static load up to failure.
It is required that the ultimate load in the static test shall be at least 2 F1. If this requirement is
fulfilled, the characteristic ultimate load of the panel to be used in design shall be taken as 1.5
F1. If the requirement for the ultimate load of 2 F1 is not fulfilled in the static test, a new load
F1 shall be defined and the repeated loading test series shall be repeated. The characteristic
value of the tensile resistance of the system, incorporating the sandwich panel and the specific
fastenings used in the tests is
FRtk = 1. 5 F
(2.3)
24
1
The design value of the tensile resistance of the system to be used in the design
calculations is
F
F
1.
5 F
Rtk
1
Rtd = =
(2.4)
γ M 2 γ M 2
in which γM2 is the material factor for the failure of the sandwich panel and the fastening.
NOTE:
A safe, approximate value for the resistance of fastenings to typical repeated wind loading
may be derived by multiplying the 5% fractile value of the results of the static tests by 0.66.
An alternative solution is to expose the full set of test specimens to 5000 cycles of repeated
loading to simulate typical wind load (see 2.2.2). For non-typical repeated or dynamic
loading cases, an appropriate loading history shall be determined on a case by case basis.
washer
saddle
washer
screw
fastener
Fig. 9: Typical structure of the special strengthening washer plate, termed a ‘saddle washer’, which is placed on
the outer flange of the external face of a sandwich panel.
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Testing of fastenings used to fix the panels to the frames of buildings
NOTE:
The basic design values for the fastenings used in France to take into account the fatigue of
the fastening for the normal wind load are given in Tables 3a and 3b. These values are
based on the results obtained from a large number of fatigue tests (Ref UEAtc 1996).
The diameter of the washer of the screws is 19 mm and the yield strength of the steel face
is 320 N/mm 2 . FUR and FER represent the resistance at the ultimate and at the serviceability
limit state respectively corresponding to the pull-over failure mode.
Table 3.a Basic design values of FR without a saddle washer (see Fig. 9.).
Nominal thickness of the steel FUR
FER
sheet of the external face, mm kN
kN
0.50 1.5 0.75
0.60 or 0.63 3.0 1.65
0.75 or 0.80 3.6 1.8
Table 3.b Basic design values of FR with a saddle washer (see Fig. 9.).
Nominal thickness of the steel FUR
FER
steel of the external face, mm kN
kN
0.50 3.3 1.65
0.60 or 0.63 4.0 2.0
0.75 or 0.80 5.2 2.6
2.3 Shear resistance of fastenings
The fastenings used to fix the sandwich panels to a sub-structure or to a frame of a
building, may be loaded by shear forces caused by self-weight, live loads or diaphragm
action. The shear resistance of a single fastening for normal applications is considered in this
section. The distribution of the shear forces, the shear failure mechanisms in shear
diaphragms and the resistance to repeated shear loads are outside of the scope of this chapter.
The shear resistance of a fastening may be determined by failure of the metal face, failure
at the point of connection to the sub-structure or failure of the fastener itself. Here, testing for
the shear resistance is based on small sandwich panel specimens (Fig. 10). Because, in
normal applications, the shear loads are carried primarily by the inner face of a sandwich
panel, an alternative testing arrangement shown in Fig. 11 has been developed and may be
used in the shear tests.
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25

ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
The width of the specimen shall be chosen such that the longitudinal edges do not
influence the test results. In general, a series of fastenings placed in line at uniform spacing
across the full width of the panel are tested.
If the distance between the end of the panel and the fastener is less than 30 mm, it is
recommended to carry out separate tests for fastenings at the end of a panel and those at a
larger distance from the end of the panel, i.e., at an intermediate support. It is good practice to
carry out shear tests using the minimum end distance.
For each screw type or for each type of the hidden fastening, the tests shall be carried out
for the largest panel depth to be used in practice.
eC
26
a) direct screw fastening
direction of span
u
F
b) special fastenings in longitudinal joints
e1 t e1 F
1
t 1
For shear loads at an end of the panel, e1 corresponds the minimum end distance. A larger
distance simulates the behaviour at an intermediate support.
t1 is the thickness of the sub-structure.
Fig, 10: Testing of the shear resistance of fastenings: a) direct screw fastening passed through the panel and b)
special fastenings placed in longitudinal joints between the panels. The displacement u at the and of the fastener
eC
represents the shear deformation.
direction of span
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u

ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Testing of fastenings used to fix the panels to the frames of buildings
Fig. 11: Alternative arrangement for shear tests
The load or displacement shall be increased monotonically up to the ultimate load. The
use of a displacement-controlled testing machine is to be preferred. The shear displacement at
the fastening shall be measured in order to determine the shear stiffness. The shear
displacement corresponding to the maximum load in the fastening shall also be measured.
The loading rate shall be such as to result in a failure between three and five minutes after the
commencement of the test.
The ultimate load is defined to be the smallest of (Fig. 12):
• the maximum load recorded during the test
• the load at which the first decrease in load is observed in the load - deflection curve
• the load corresponding to a displacement of 3 mm, if this occurs on the rising part
of the load - deflection curve.
The maximum load, the corresponding displacement (hole elongation, misalignment of
the screw) and the mode of failure (pull out, failure of fastener itself, elongation of the hole,
misalignment of the screw etc.) shall be recorded.
The ductility of a fastening loaded in shear may be determined on the basis of a certain
decrease in the load. A fall of 10% after the attainment of the ultimate load would represent a
typical measurement point. Because of the possibility of local maximum and minimum loads
in the typical load-deformation curve, only the global decrease in the load should be taken
into account (curve a in Fig. 12).
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27

ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
28
Load [kN]
4
3
2
1
0
Shear test of a fastening
a) maximum load
b) load corresponding the displacement of 3 mm
c) load at first fall of load
S j 7
0 2 4 6 8 10
Displacement [mm]
Fig. 12. Examples of shear load – displacement curves and definition of the ultimate load. A displacement
controlled testing machine is assumed.
2.4 Resistance of a screw to imposed deflection
In addition to tensile and shear forces, screw fasteners may also be loaded by the bending
moment induced by thermal movement of the sandwich panel. The changing temperatures
cause repeated imposed deflections and thus repeated bending stresses in the shaft of the
screw. This is a load case that is peculiar to the screws fixing sandwich panels. The bending
of the shaft may cause deformations in the thread of the screw in the sub-structure which, in
turn, may result in a reduction in the pull-out strength of the fastening.
The resistance of the fastener to such an imposed deflection shall be determined using the
test arrangement shown in Fig. 13. The fastener is fixed as a cantilever of length ‘l’, where ‘l’
is equal to the depth of the panel (eC) at the point of the connection. The details of the test
arrangement shall correspond as closely as possible to those in the actual structure. In
particular, the fastener shall be fixed into material of the same thickness ‘t’ as in the
supporting member in the actual sub-structure. The head of the fastener (detail A in Fig. 13)
shall not be restrained during the test.
The fastener shall be tested in a displacement-controlled testing machine and shall be
subjected to the following unilateral displacement spectrum where ‘u’ is the maximum lateral
displacement calculated at the point of the attachment
(1) 20000 cycles at 4/7 u
(2) 2000 cycles at 6/7 u
(3) 100 cycles at u
The frequency shall not exceed 5 Hz. The procedure for the determination of the
displacement u is given in Annex D.
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Testing of fastenings used to fix the panels to the frames of buildings
For a given fastener, the test procedure shall include the following tests
- ten static tensile tests using the loading arrangement shown in ECCS Publication
No.124. The mean of the tensile resistance of the specimens so obtained is denoted
by FRt.mean .
- ten tests with repeated bending loading in which the specimens are exposed to the
deflection spectrum described above
- after the application of the above displacement spectrum, each specimen shall be
tested to failure in a static tensile test
Evaluation of the test results shall be based on the mean of the initial static tests, FRt.mean,
together with the results of the static tests carried out after the repeated bending tests. The
tensile resistance of each specimen in the final static test shall be at least 80% of the mean of
the tensile resistance prior to cyclic loading.
Detail A
45°
45°
d
screw fastener
A
+ u
e
l
Fig. 13: Test arrangement for the repeated bending test of a fastener. The restraint to the screw at the point
shown in the detail A shall allow freedom of rotation. The drilling of the screw into the sub-structure shall be
made in a manner corresponding to the usual practice.
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t1
130
29

ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
NOTES:
1. The arrangement shown in Fig. 13 represents a suitable arrangement for testing of
an individual fastener subject to imposed bending. By varying the length ‘l’ and
the displacement ‘u’, this test can be used to determine the maximum allowable
value of ‘u’ for different panel thicknesses. In the systematic testing of a
particular fastener, the thickness ‘t1’ of the sub-structure material shall also be
varied because a larger thickness results in an increased bending restraint and
therefore a reduced deformation capacity. Further details of the interpretation of
this test are given in Appendix D.
30
2. The recommended displacement spectrum is based on a procedure that is
accepted in Germany. This, in turn, is based on the following temperature
variations during a 50 year working life:
number of cycles ΔT
20000 40°C
2000 60°C
100 70°C.
3. Detail A is designed to allow the head of the screw to rotate freely during the test.
If this detail does in practice not allow free rotation, thus putting the screw into
double curvature, detail A may require a modification.
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Testing of fastenings installed to a face layer
3. TESTING OF FASTENINGS INSTALLED TO A FACE LAYER
Fasteners used to fix additional elements to the external or internal face layer only, are
typically rivets or self-drilling screws. The resistance of the fastening is based on the face
layer supported by the core. For design, the resistance and the flexibility of the fastening with
respect to both tensile and shear loads are required. In this chapter, test arrangements for
screw and rivet fastenings in one face layer are described.
3.1 Tensile resistance
The typical failure modes of screw and rivet fastenings fixed into a face layer are:
- pull-out failure from the face sheet at the point of fastening,
- tensile failure of the core layer of the panel at the point of fastening, especially if the
fastening is located close to an end of a panel and
- failure of the fastener itself, which is more typical of rivets.
The test arrangements described in 2.2.2 can be used to study the tensile resistance and
the flexibility of fasteners fixed in a face layer only (Fig. 14). The distance between the end
of the panel and the fastening has an influence on the test results. Repeated loading may have
a negative influence on the adhesion between the core and face layers, leading to a reduction
of the tensile resistance of the connection due to delamination.
Load [kN]
1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
ultimate load
Tensile test of a screw fastenings
fixed to a face layer, only
0 2 4 6 8 10
Displacement [mm]
Fig. 14: Example of tensile load – displacement curve and determination of the ultimate load. The load –
deflection curve is typically approximately linear unless the fastenings are fixed close to an end of the panel.
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31

ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
3.2 Shear resistance
32
The typical shear failure modes of the screw and rivet fastenings fixed in a face layer are:
- yielding and crippling and finally pull-out failure from the face layer,
- shear failure of the fastener especially in the case of rivet fasteners
The test arrangements described in section 2.3 can be used to study the shear resistance
and flexibility of fastenings fixed to a face layer only (Fig. 15). If the fastening is placed
close to an end of the panel, the distance between the fastening and the end of the panel has an
influence on the shear resistance.
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
Load [kN]
Fu
a) first decrease in the load
b) load corresponding the displacement of 3 mm
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Displacement u [mm]
Fig. 15: Example of a shear load – displacement curve and the determination of the ultimate load.
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Fu

ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
4. ADDITIONAL TESTS
Additional Tests
The tests introduced in Chapters 2 and 3 give experimental information about the
properties and resistance of the fastenings. In order to analyse and to adjust the test results to
the nominal values of the properties of the constituent elements of the product, information
about the properties of the core and faces as well as of the fastener itself is required. The
additional tests described in this section are intended to determine these properies. They may
be classified as follows
- external and internal face layers
- metal core thickness (tobs) , yield stress (Rp0.2 , ReH) and ultimate tensile strength
(Rm), in all cases
- core layer
- cross panel tensile strength (fCt), in all cases
- cross panel compressive strength (fCc), in all cases
- shear strength (fCv), in the case of concealed fastenings
- fastener, washer and additional parts in concealed fastening
- dimensions and material properties, where required
- dimensions of the test specimen, in all cases
The relevant tests on the core layer and on the sandwich panel itself are given in detail in
EN 14509, the tests on the metal sheet face layers in EN 10002-1 and the test on the fasteners
themselves in ECCS Publication No. 42.
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
34
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
5. EVALUATION OF THE TEST RESULTS
5.1 Adjustment of the test results to nominal values
Evaluation of test results
In general, the thickness and strength of the face of the sandwich panel in a test do not
correspond exactly with the nominal thickness and strength used in design. Therefore, the
results of the tests have to be modified in order to adjust the results to the values used in
design. Because the core of the sandwich panel has an important influence on the resistance of
the fastening, the results shall also be adusted to the nominal strength of the core. Exceptions
are the results of the tests based on a metal sheet strip (Annex A), in which case only the
adjustment to the nominal values of the properties of the face is required.
The tensile test results of direct screw fastenings shall be adjusted using the expression:
R adj,
i min( f1,
f 2 ) Robs,
i
= (5.1)
and the tensile test results of indirect screw fastenings, and the results of full-scale tests,
using the expression:
R adj,
i min( f1,
f 2 , f 3)
Robs,
i
= (5.2)
The results of shear tests on fastenings shall be adjusted using the expression:
R adj i f1
Robs,
i
, = (5.3)
In the expressions (5.1) to (5.3),
⎛ f ⎞ ⎛ ⎞
⎜ u ⎟
t
f 1 =
⎜
⎟
⎜ ⎟
≤ 1
(5.4)
⎝ Rm,
obs ⎠ ⎝ tobs
⎠
1 2
1 2
⎛ f ⎞
⎛
⎜ Cck
f ⎞
f ⎟
2 =
⎜ ⎟
≤ 1 and ⎜ Cvk
f 3 = ⎟ ≤ 1
⎝ f
⎜ ⎟
(5.5, 5.6)
Cc,
obs ⎠
⎝ f Cv,
obs ⎠
where the factor f1 takes into account the influene of the face and the factors f2 and f3 the
influence of the core. The smallest of these factors shall be taken into account in the analysis.
In the above expressions:
Robs,i = result of test number i
Radj,i = result of test i modified to correspond to the nominal values of the face and
the core used in the design
fu = nominal value of the ultimate tensile strength of the face sheet, used in
design
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
NOTE:
36
Rm,obs = mean ultimate tensile strength of the face sheet measured in the test
specimen
t = design thickness of the metal face sheet
tobs = mean thickness of the metal core of the face sheet measured in the test
specimen
fCck = characteristic value of the compression strength of the core used in design
fCc,obs = mean value of the compression strength of the core measured in the test
specimens
fCvk = characteristic value of the shear strength of the core used in design
fCv,obs = mean value of the shear strength of the core measured in the test
specimens
Nominal values of the basic yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of typical
steel sheets used in sandwich panels are, according to EN10326:
Steel grade ReH , R0,2 , fy
[N/mm 2 Rm , fu
]
[N/mm 2 ]
S220GD 220 300
S250GD 250 330
S280GD 280 360
S320GD 320 390
S350GD 350 420
5.2 Characteristic tensile and shear resistance of fastenings
Characteristic values of the tensile and shear resistance of a fastening are evaluated on the
basis of the log-normal distribution of the adjusted test results using the expression:
x
p
where
( y−kσ
σ y )
= e
(5.7)
y i = Ln
( xi
)
is natural logarithm of an adjusted test result xi
n 1
y = ∑ Ln
( xi
)
n i=
1
mean value of yi
kσ fractile factor (see the Table below)
σ y =
n 1
2
∑ ( Ln
( xi
) − y)
n −1
i=
1
standard deviation of yi
n number of test results
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Evaluation of the test results
Assuming a confidence level of 75%, the fractile values according to EN 14509 are:
number of
specimens
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 15 20 30 60 ∞
k σ 3.15 2.68 2.46 2.34 2.25 2.19 2.14 2.10 1.99 1.93 1.87 1.80 1.76
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Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
38
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
6. DESIGN OF FASTENINGS
6.1 Material factors of fastenings
Design of fastenings
The determination of the material factors to correspond with the failure modes of
sandwich panels is given in EN 14509. The same procedure can be applied in order to
determine the material factors for the tensile and shear resistance of fastenings at the ultimate
limit state:
γ
γ
M 2
=
M . SER
⋅
σ
( 0.
8 4.
7 1.
645)
y
1 . 05e
=
−
1.
05
e
2.
115σ
and at the serviceability limit state:
=
( 0.
8⋅3.
0−1.
645)
σ y
1 . 0e
=
1.
0
e
0.
755σ
where σy is the variance of Ln(xi) of the test results.
y
y
(6.1)
(6.2)
The recommended minimum value of the material factor for fastenings at the ultimate
and at the serviceability limit state verifications is γM2 = 1.33 and γM.SER = 1.0.
F
The design values of the tensile and shear resistance are calculated as:
F
Rtk
Rtd = and
γ M 2
F
F
Rvk
Rvd = (6.3), (6.4)
γ M 2
NOTE:
In principal, the safety factors are determined at the national level. In absence of national
values, the material factors derived in Section 6.1 are recommended.
6.2 Effects of actions on fastenings
The fastenings used to fix the panels to a sub-structure or to a frame of a building are
loaded by tensile loads caused mainly by the wind suction load and by the temperature
difference between the faces. These fastenings may also be loaded by shear loads caused by
the self-weight of a wall panel, by the self-weight of roof panels and by the snow load on
inclined roofs, by the weight of any covering elements or additional items mounted on panels
and, further, by any loads resulting from diaphragm (stressed skin) action.
Fastenings fixed in one face layer only may be loaded by the weight of any additional
covering elements and additional items fixed to the panel. An additional covering may cause
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
further shear loads in fastenings because of the static interaction between the covering and the
sandwich panel.
The tensile and shear load on a single fastening is determined in the static design
calculations. The tensile and shear loads in fastenings at both the serviceability and the
ultimate limit states shall be calculated using the theory of elasticity. If the design is based on
full-scale testing, the ultimate resistance determined in the test can be used without making a
distinction between the failure of the fastening and the failure of the sandwich panel (chapter
2.2.4). However, the material factor determined at the national level or derived using the
expressions given in Section 6.1, shall be applied.
Load factors and combination factors for loads on fastenings and, in addition, the rules
for combinations are given in EN 14509.
6.3 Design for failure modes involving tensile and shear interaction
Fastenings used to fix the panels to a sub-structure or to a frame of a building are
designed separately for the tensile and shear loads. If the failure mode is a pull-over failure,
interaction studies in typical direct screw fastenings are not normally required, because the
tensile mode of failure in the outer face and the shear failure mode in the inner face do not
influence each other. However, if failure in tension and shear take place at the same point,
i.e., in the connection to substructure or in the shaft of the fastener, an interaction study is
required. The expression (6.5) can then be applied.
Fasteners fixed to a face layer only are designed separately for tensile load and shear
load. Because the tensile and shear failure modes develop at the same point in the face sheet,
interaction studies between tensile and shear failures are required. In the verification for the
combined failure mode, expression (6.5) taken from EN1993-1-3 can be applied.
F
F
40
td
Rtd
F
+
F
vd
Rvd
≤ 1
6.4 Interaction between the fastening and the sandwich panel
(6.5)
Deformations in the fastenings cause additional flexibility at the connection points of
sandwich panels in walls and roofs. The flexibility of the fastenings therefore changes the
deflected shape of both single-span and multi-span sandwich panels. Thus, if the deflection is
an important design criterion, the influence of the flexibility of the fastenings should be taken
into account.
The flexibility of the fastenings causes changes in the bending moment and shear force
diagrams of continuous multi-span sandwich panels. Typically, the flexibility reduces the
absolute values of the bending moments and shear forces at intermediate supports, caused by
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Design of fastenings
distributed loads and/or the difference of the temperature between the faces. On the other
hand, the flexibility increases the bending moments in the spans caused by distributed loads.
Thus, the infuence of the flexibility of the fastenings may be favourable in the verification for
the serviceability limit state.
The deformations and stresses at the points of fastenings cause imperfections in the
sandwich panels. This is especially the case in direct fastenings, in which the srews are
drilled through the faces and the core. The imperfections due to the fastenings reduce the
resistance of the faces to compressive stresses and the resistance of the core to shear stresses.
These considerations shall be taken into account in the design of sandwich panels and
fastenings. EN 14509 gives test arrangements to study the resistance of the sandwich panels
at intermediate supports for interaction failure modes. In EN 14509, the interaction is directly
taken into account in the full-scale tests and in the proposed clauses for design made by
testing [EN 14509 Annex F (Draft)].
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42
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
REFERENCES
References
EN 14509, (November 2006) (European standard). Self-supporting double skin metal
faced insulating panels – Factory made products – Specifications. Published by CEN (Comité
Européen de Normalisation), Brussels.
Proposed Annex F of EN 14509, (Draft May 2007). Design by testing. Paris.
EN1990, (2002) (European standard). Basis of Structural Design. Published by CEN
(Comité Européen de Normalisation), Brussels.
EN1991, (2004) (European standard). Eurocode 1: Actions on structures. Part 1-3:
General actions. Snow loads. Published by CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation),
Brussels.
EN1991, (2005) (European standard). Eurocode 1: Actions on structures. Part 1-4:
General actions - Wind actions. Published by CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation),
Brussels.
EN1993-1-3, (2006) (European standard). Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures. Part 1-
3: General rules, Supplementary rules for cold-formed thin gauge members and sheeting.
Published by CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation), Brussels.
CIB W56 (2000). European Recommendations for Sandwich Panels, Part I: Design.
CIB/ECCS Report Publication 257.
ECCS TWG 7.9 (2001). European Recommendations for Sandwich Panels, Part I:
Design. ECCS Publication No 115, Brussels.
ECCS TWG 7.10 (2008). The Testing of Connections with Mechanical Fasteners in Steel
Sheeting and Section. ECCS Publication No 124, Brussels.
ECCS TWG 7.2 (1983). Mechanical fasteners for use in steel sheeting and sections.
ECCS Publication No 42, Brussels.
UEAtc (1996). UEAtc Technical Report for assessment of installations using sandwich
panels with a CFC-free polyurethane foam core. MOAT56. Paris.
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44
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
ANNEX A
Annex A - Small-scale tensile test based on steel sheet strip
SMALL-SCALE TENSILE TEST BASED ON STEEL SHEET STRIP
The tensile resistance of screw fastenings drilled through a sandwich panel may be
determined by applying the test arrangements given in the report (ECCS TWG 7.10, 2008)
(Fig. A1). The test procedure is based on a steel sheet strip which is bent into the form of a
folded plate. A screw fastener is drilled through the flange of this profile and tested by the
application of a tensile load. This test was originally developed for fastenings in trapezoidally
profiled sheeting and the application of the same test procedure to fastenings in sandwich
panels is possible. However, this is not recommended for general use because the
interpretation of the test results may be complicated.
75 °
Fig. A1. Test arrangements based on steel sheet strip.
The formed sheet of the test specimen, with its fixed dimensions and the rigid clamping
of the webs to the test set-up, serves as a model of a profiled sheeting. This test arrangement
will give satisfactory results for many sheeting profiles. For sandwich panels with PU-cores,
the test results (5%-fractile values, F5%) have to be adjusted using the factors given in Table
A1 to take into account the geometry of the faces and the influence of the core material (fgeo)
and, in addition, the influence of repeated loading (fcyc).
The characteristic value FRtk of the tensile resistance for static loading is:
F f static
Ft
50 mm
clamping
device
strip of
face sheet
pull -over
failure mode
screw
Rtk = F
(A1)
5%
and the characteristic value FRt,ch,rep for repeated (dynamic) loading is:
FRtk . rep = f dynamic F
(A2)
5%
In these expressions F5% is the characteristic value of the test results based on steel sheet
strip specimens and fstatic and fdynamic are factors given in Table A.1.
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
For core materials other than PU-foam, no adjustment values exist and no
recommendations are possible.
For edge distances within the range 20mm ≤ e1 ≤ 45mm, the pull-over resistance derived
from the test results based on the metal sheet strip has to be reduced additionally by
multiplying the results given by the expressions (A1, A2) with the factor fel given by equation
(A3) /2/
46
⎧≤
1,
0
f e1
= 1,
4 − 0,
03⋅
d S ⎨
⎩≥
0,
9
(A3)
in which the diameter of the washer dS is given in mm. For edge distances e1 smaller
than 20 mm, no statement is possible.
1
2
3
4
Table A1. Reduction factors fstatic and fdynamic for test results based on tests with steel sheet strips.
shape of the face and location of the
fastener
no saddle washer*
(symmetric)
(asymmetric)
e
b F
fstatic = fgeo
0,70 0,70
0,50 0,30
0,70 0,70
bF ≤150
≤250
>250
e/bF mm mm mm e/bF
fdynamic = fgeo x fcyc
bF ≤150
mm
≤250
mm
>250
mm
≤ 0,25 0,7 0,5 0,35 ≤ 0,25 0,7 0,35 0,25
> 0,25 0,7 0,5 0,35 > 0,25 0,6 0,35 0,25
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
5
a
b F
Annex A - Small-scale tensile test based on steel sheet strip
0.7 0.5
(symmetric)
* a saddle washer is a specially profiled washer that distributes the load over the flange of
the face profile
Because of the influence of the geometry of the specimen, repeated loading tests using
arrangements based on metal sheet strips have no significance for the use with sandwich
panels and shall not be performed. In general, the application of the adjustment factors given
in Table A1 should be sufficient.
REFERENCES FOR ANNEX A
ECCS TWG 7.10 (2008), The Testing of Connections with Mechanical Fasteners in Steel
Sheeting and Sections. Chapter 3.3.2 in ECCS Publication No 124, Brussels.
Saal H, Misiek T, (2008). Durchknöpftragfähigkeit der Befestigungsmittel von
Sandwichelementen bei direkter Befestigung. Frauenhofer IRB Verlag. (in German)
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Annex B - Description of the test series for fastenings a proposal based on needs of the industry
ANNEX B (INFORMATIVE)
DESCRIPTION OF THE TEST SERIES FOR FASTENINGS
A PROPOSAL BASED ON NEEDS OF THE INDUSTRY
The following examples illustrate the application of the test methods for the fasteners and
fastenings of sandwich panels introduced in the Recommendations.
1. The pull out test of a screw fastener should be carried out by the manufacturer of the
fastener by testing of each type of the screw
2. The resistance of a screw fastener to the head deflection should be determined by the
manufacturer of the fastener. Use the test arrangements given in chapter 2.4.
3. The tensile resistance of a direct screw fastening should be determined using the test
arrangements given in chapter 2.2.2. A test series should include ten static tests and
three repeated loading test with 5000 loading cycles for fastening at an end and
intermediate support. The tests should include fastenings fixed to the panel with the
minimum and maximum core depths, such as 60 and 200 mm. Thus, a test series
should include 10 x 2 (end and intermediate support) x 2 (min and max depth) = 40
static tests and 3 x 2 x 2 = 12 tests with repeated loading for each fastening.
4. The tensile resistance of a concealed fastening without any load distributing plate
below the head of the screw should be determined using the test arrangements given in
chapter 2.2.3. A test series should include ten static tests and three repeated loading
tests with 5000 loading cycles for fastenings at an end and intermediate support. The
tests should include fastenings fixed to the panel with the minimum and maximum
core depths such as 100 and 200 mm. Thus, a typical test series should include 10 x 2
(end and intermediate support) x 2 (min and max depth) = 40 static tests and 3 x 2 x 2
= 12 tests with repeated loading for each fastening.
5. The tensile resistance of a concealed fastening with a load distributing plate such as a
saddle washer below the head of the screw does not require any additional testing if
the end distances and other critical details are at least equal to those used in the tests
under point 4 above.
6. The tensile resistance of all kind of fastenings can be studied using the full-scale tests
given in chapter 2.2.5. The test series should include single-span and, if required, twospan
panels with the minimum and maximum core depths such as 60 and 200 mm.
The specimens shall be subjected to static loading and 5000 cycles of repeated
loading. Typically, the span of a single-span specimen should be between 4 and 6 m
and the span of a two-span specimen between 2 m and 3 m. The test series should
include five static tests and three tests with repeated loading for each type of
specimen. Thus, a typical test series includes 5 x 2 (single-span and two-span tests) x
2 (min and max depth) = 20 static tests and 3 x 2 x 2 = 12 tests with repeated loading.
7. The shear resistance of fastenings should be determined using the test arrangements
given in chapter 2.3. The tests should be carried out using the largest depth of panel.
A typical test series should include ten static tests.
8. Tests needed to characterize the test specimens are defined in chapter 4.
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
NOTE:
In general, and in all cases, 3 repeated loading tests are sufficient to cover the need for
information regarding sandwich panels and their fastenings exposed to the dynamic effect of
wind load. 5000 cycles of load are sufficient to simulate the action effect of typical wind
loads.
50
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
ANNEX C
DESIGN EXAMPLE
C.1 Analysis of the test results for a direct screw fastening
Annex C - Design Example
The results of ten tensile tests using the load arrangements in section 2.2.2, are given in
Table C.1 and in graph C.1. The test results are adjusted to correspond to the the nominal
values of the face and core. On the basis of the adjusted values, the mean value, the standard
deviation and the characteristic value of the results based on the normal and log-normal
distributions are determined. The characteristic value of the resistance to be used in design is
chosen on the basis of the calculated values.
The nominal and measured mean ultimate tensile strengths of the face steel are 390 and
430 N/mm 2 , and the nominal and measured mean steel core thicknesses of the face sheet are
0.56 and 0.585 mm, respectively. In addition, the nominal and measured mean compression
strengths of the core layer are 0.1 and 0.124 N/mm 2 . The corresponding adjustment factors
are calculated as follows:
⎛ 390 ⎞⎛
0.
56 ⎞
⎛ 0.
1 ⎞
f 1 = ⎜ ⎟⎜
⎟ = 0.
869 and 2 = ⎜ ⎟ = 0.
898
⎝ 432 ⎠⎝
0.
582 ⎠
⎝ 0.
124 ⎠
½
f , Radj = min( f1
, f 2 ) Robs
= 0.
869 Robs
Table C.1: Test results and adjusted test results of a tensile test series, calculated mean value, standard deviation
and characteristic value based on normal and log-normal distribution. Choice of the characteristic tensile
resistance to be used in design.
Specimen Test result Adjusted test Ln(Radj)
Robs, kN result, Radj, kN
1
3.96
3.44
1.235
2
4.22
3.67
1.299
3
4.28
3.72
1.313
4
4.02
3.49
1.250
5
3.88
3.37
1.215
6
4.15
3.60
1.282
7
4.05
3.52
1.258
8
4.25
3.69
1.306
9
3.92
3.41
1.225
10
3.98
3.46
1.240
Mean value 3.54 1.263
Standard deviation 0.125 0.0353
Fractile factor, kσ 2.1 2.1
Characteristic value, FRtk.test 3.27 3.28
Characteristic value for design, FRtk 3.2
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Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
52
Tensile resistance [kN]
4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
test result
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Test
Fig. C.1: Test results and adjusted results of a tensile test series, mean and characteristic resistance values.
Evaluation of the material factor for the ultimate limit state verifications:
- exponent of the expression 6.1; ( 0.
8 ⋅ 4.
7 −1.
645)
0.
0353 = 0.
0747
- material factor, expression 6.1 ; γ M . test
0.
0747
= 1.
05e
= 1.
131
Selection of the material factor; γ M 2 = max( γ M . test , 1.
33)
= 1.
33
Design (factored) value of the tensile resistance; = F γ = 3.
2kN
1.
33 = 2.
4kN
C.2 Load-span table for a single-span wall panel
adjusted test result
FRtd Rtk M 2
mean value
characteristic value
This section describes a procedure for the determination of the characteristic load-span
table for a single-span, thin-faced, symmetric wall panel fixed with three direct screw
fastenings at each end support. The panel is loaded by wind suction load and a Summer
temperature difference of ΔT = T2
− T1
= 25 − 65 = −40°
C between the internal and external
faces. The mechanical properties of the panel are given in Table C.2.
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Annex C - Design Example
Table C.2: Mechanical properties and design criteria for a single-span wall panel loaded by wind suction load.
The buckling strength of the face, shear strength of the core and tensile resistance of the fastening are design
values.
Total width B, mm 1200
Effective depth of panel eC, mm 100
Steel core thickness of face tFd, mm 0.56
Modulus of elasticity of face EF, N/mm 2 210000
Coefficient of thermal elongation of face αF, 1/°C 0.000012
Support width Ls, mm 80
Shear modulus of core GC, N/mm 2 3
Allowable deflection L/100
Load factor γF
Combination coefficient ψ0
Combination coefficient ψ1
1.5
0.6
0.75
Buckling strength of face fFcd, N/mm 2 140
Shear strength of core fCvd, N/mm 2 0.08
Tensile resistance of fastening FRtd, kN 2.4
Number of fastenings at each support, nf
The bending rigidity and shear rigidity of the panel are calculated as follows:
= 0. 5 E t
2
12 2
e = 0.
588⋅10
Nmm m , = G e
6
= 0. 3⋅10
N m
Bs F Fd C
SC C C
The design criteria and expressions for the characteristic load are given in Table C.3. The
verification for the buckling and shear strength and for the resistance of the fastenings is made
for the wind suction load with the load factor for the ultimate limit state. Deflections are
calculated at the serviceability limit state with the corresponding combination factors for the
frequent combination of the action effects.
Buckling
strength of
internal face
Shear strength
of core
Tensile
resistance of
fastenings
Table C.3: Design criteria and expressions to determinate the characteristic load-span table.
γ q
L
2
σ F =
F k.
Fc
8eCt
Fd
≡ f Fcd
qk . Fc =
C Fd
2
γ F L
f Fcd
γ q
=
L
≡
F kCv
C
τ C
f Cvd
k.
Cv f Cvd
2eE
γ F L
=
F
k.
Rt
( L + Ls
) B ≡ n f FRtd
F = γ q
2
1
3
q
q
k.
Rt
8e
2e
t
2n
f FRtd
=
γ ( L + L )B
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F
s
53

ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Allowable
deflection,
frequent
combination of
action effects at
serviceability
limit state
Characteristic
load
54
w =
5
384
q
k.
w.
1
B
s
L
4
+
1
8
q
k.
w.
1
S
C
L
2
L
≡
100
4 ⎛ 5 L
w = ψ 1 qk
. w.
2 ⎜
⎝ 384 Bs
2
L
+
8 SC
⎞ ψ 0ψ
1 α F ΔT
L
⎟ +
⎠ 8eC
4 ⎛ 5 L
w = ψ 0ψ
1 qk
. w.
3 ⎜
⎝ 384 Bs
2
L
+
8 SC
⎞ ψ 1 α F ΔT
L
⎟ +
⎠ 8eC
q k.
w = min( qk
. w.
1,
qk
. w.
2 , qk
. w.
3 )
= min q , q , q , q
( )
q k
k.
Fc k.
Cv k.
Rt k.
w
2
2
L
≡
100
L
≡
100
Based on the given mechanical values and the expressions in Table C.3, the characteristic
load corresponding to each design criterion is determined and, finally, the envelope curve
representing the characteristic wind suction load can be calculated (Fig. C.2). In practice, the
fastenings should be placed symmetrically at the same distance from the end of the panel as in
the tests.
Characteristic load q [kN/m2]
5
4
3
2
1
0
wrinkling
shear
fastening
deflection
characteristic load
3.0 3.6 4.2 4.8 5.4 6.0 6.6 7.2
Span length [m]
Fig. C.2: Characteristic wind suction load for a single-span thin-faced wall panel fixed with three screw fasteners
at each end support. In addition to the wind load, there is a difference of temperature between the faces.
Screw fastenings provide supports to the panel which have a certain flexibility. This
flexibility has an influence on the deflections of single-span, simply supported wall panels
and this may be taken into account by replacing the flexible supports by elastic springs, the
spring coefficient of which has been determined in the fastening tests. The adjusted spring
coefficient of a direct screw fastening in the tests in this example is k1 = 250 N/mm. The
screws at each support are springs which act in parallel. Thus, the total spring coefficient of
the fastenings at both end support to the panel width and to a unit width is
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
k fas
k fas
= 3⋅ k1
= 3⋅
250 N / mm = 750 N / mm
= 3⋅ k1
B = 3⋅
250 1.
2 N / mm / m = 625 N / mm / m
Annex C - Design Example
Expressions for the deflections, including the flexibility of the fastenings, are given in
Table C4. There are no changes in expressions for the compression stress of the face, shear
stress of the core and tensile force of the fastening, which remain as in Table C3. The
characteristic load including the influence of the flexibility of the fastenings is shown in
Figure C.3.
Table C.4: Determination of the characteristic load-span table where the expressions for deflections include the
flexibility of the fastenings.
Allowable
4
2
5 qk
. w.
1L
1 qk
. w.
1L
qk
. w.
1 L L
deflection, w =
+ + ≡
384 Bs
8 SC
2k
fas 100
frequent
2
combination of
⎛ 4 2
5 L L L ⎞ ψ 0ψ
1 α F ΔT
L L
action effects at
w = ψ 1 q ⎜
k.
w.
2 + + ⎟ +
≡
⎜ 384 Bs
8S
C 2k
⎟
fas 8eC
100
the
⎝
⎠
2
serviceability
⎛ 4 2
5 L L L ⎞ ψ 1 α F ΔT
L L
w = ψ 0ψ
1 q ⎜
k.
w.
3 + + ⎟ +
≡
limit state
⎜ 384 Bs
8S
C 2k
⎟
⎝
fas ⎠ 8eC
100
q k.
w = min( qk
. w.
1,
qk
. w.
2 , qk
. w.
3 )
Characteristic q k = min(
qk
. Fc , qk
. Cv , qk
. Rt , qk
. w ) *
load
* values for qk.Fc, qk.Cv and qk.Rt from Table C.3
Characteristic load q [kN/m2]
5
4
3
2
1
0
wrinkling
shear
fastening
deflection, inc. flexibility of fastenings
characteristic load
3.0 3.6 4.2 4.8 5.4 6.0 6.6 7.2
Span length [m]
Figure C.3: Characteristic wind suction load of a single-span, thin-faced wall panel fixed with three screw
fasteners at each end support. In addition to the wind load, there is a difference of temperature between the
faces. The flexibility of the fastenings has been taken into account in the determination of the deflection values.
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55

ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
C.3 Design of the fastenings for a two-span wall panel
Here, the sandwich panel introduced in section C.2 is supported on three supports and has
two equal spans of 4.2 + 4.2 m. The panel is loaded by a wind suction load of qk = 1 kN/m 2 .
In addition, there is a difference of the temperature of ΔTS = T2
− T1
= 25 − 65 = −40°
C in
Summer and ΔTW = T2
− T1
= 20 − ( −30)
= 50°
C in Winter between the internal and external
faces. The mechanical properties of the panel are given in Table C.2.
Negative support reactions are calculated using the expressions given in Annex E of
EN14509 (Table C.5). These expressions are based on the linear theory of elasticity of thinfaced
sandwich beams. The combination of support reactions is carried out at the ultimate
limit state using the corresponding load and combination factors given in Annex E of
EN14509. Finally, the number of fastenings is determined using the design value of the
tensile resistance derived in the example in section C.1. This example studies the design of
fastenings to resist tensile loads only and does not cover the design of the panel itself. In
practice, the resistance of the fastenings to shear loads should also be considered.
The combination of the support reactions with thermal effects based on the theory of
elasticity at the ultimate limit state results in conservative design values for the support
reactions and therefore gives an overestimate of the number of fastenings required at the
supports.
Table C.5: Support reactions at the end and central supports of a continuous two-span wall panel. Combination
of design values of the support reactions and the number of fastenings required at each support.
Parameter k
Wind suction
load
(negative for
suction load)
Temperature
difference in
Winter (end)
and Summer
(central
support)
56
End support Central support
3⋅
BS
k = 2
L S
3
3⋅
0.
588⋅10
= 2
3
4.
2 ⋅ 0.
3⋅10
= 0.
3333
qk
L ⎛ 1 ⎞
F1.
q.
k = 1
2
⎜ −
4(
1 k)
⎟ =
⎝ + ⎠
⎛ 1 ⎞
F2. q.
k = qk
L ⎜
⎜1+
4(
1 k)
⎟ =
⎝ + ⎠
( −1)
⋅ 4.
2 ⎛ 1 ⎞ kN
1
=
2
⎜ −
4(
1 0.
3333)
⎟
⎝ + ⎠ m
⎛ 1 ⎞ kN
( −1)
⋅ 4.
2 ⎜
⎜1+
=
4(
1 0.
3333)
⎟
⎝ + ⎠ m
kN
−1.
706
m
kN
− 4.
988
m
3⋅
BS
α F ΔTW
1
F1.
T . k = −
=
2 ⋅ L eC
1+
k
3 −6
3⋅
0.
588⋅10
12 ⋅10
50 1
−
=
2 ⋅ 4.
2 0.
100 1+
0.
3333
3⋅
BS
α F ΔTS
1
F2.
T . k =
=
L eC
1+
k
3 −6
3⋅
0.
588 ⋅10
12 ⋅10
( − 40)
1
=
4.
2 0.
100 1+
0.
3333
kN
− 0.
945
m
kN
−1.
512
m
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Combination
at the
ultimate limit
state
Number of
fastenings
Number of
fastenings in
practice
F1. d = γ F F1.
q.
k + γ F ψ 0 F1.
T . k
−
1.
5
⋅1.
706 −1.
5⋅
0.
6 ⋅ 0
. 945
=
kN
= −3.
41
m
Annex C - Design Example
F2. d = γ F F2.
q.
k + γ F ψ 0 F2.
T . k =
kN
−1.
5 ⋅ 4.
988 −1.
5 ⋅ 0.
6 ⋅1.
512 = −8.
843
m
F1.
d
n screw.
1 =
FRtd
− 3.
41
= = 1.
4
2.
4
F2.
d
n screw.
2 =
FRtd
− 8.
843
= = 3.
7
2.
4
at least two fastenings at each end at least four fastenings at central
support
support
Screw fastenings provide flexible supports to the panel. This flexibility has influence on
the support reactions of continuous multi-span sandwich beams. The flexibility may be
modelled using elastic spring coefficients based on the displacements measured in the
fastening tests. The adjusted spring coefficient of a direct screw fastening in the example is k1
= 250 N/mm. The screws at supports act as springs in parallel. Thus, the total spring
coefficients of the fastenings at end support and central support to the width and to a unit
width are
k fas . 1 = 2 ⋅ k1
= 2 ⋅ 250 N / mm = 500 N / mm (two screws at both end support, to the panel
width)
k fas . 1
= ⋅ k B = 2 ⋅ 250 / 1.
2 N / mm / m = 417 N / mm (to a unit width)
2 1
k fas . 2 = 4 ⋅ k1
= 4 ⋅ 250 N / mm = 1000 N / mm (four screws at central support, to the panel
width)
k fas . 2
= ⋅ k / B = 4 ⋅ 250 / 1.
2 N / mm = 833 N / mm (to a unit width)
4 1
The expressions for the support reactions in Table C.6 have been derived on the basis of
the theory of elasticity of thin-faced sandwich beams. The numerical results show the
difference in the support reactions caused by the flexibility of the support (Tables C.5 and
C.6).
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57

ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Table C.6: Support reactions at the end and central supports of the continuous two-span wall panel with elastic
58
supports taking account of the flexibility of the fastenings. Combination of the design values of the support
reactions.
Parameter k 3⋅
BS
k = 2
L S
3
3⋅
0.
588⋅10
= 2
3
4.
2 ⋅ 0.
3⋅10
= 0.
3333
Support reaction at the central support
Wind
suction load
(negative for
suction load)
⎛ 5 2 S
⎜ 1+
+
⎜ 4 k L k fas.
1
F2.
q.
k = qk
L
⎜ 1 S 2 S
1
⎜ + + +
⎝ k L k fas.
1 L k fas.
2
⎞
⎟
⎟
⎟
=
⎟
⎠
Temperature
difference in
Summer
(central
support)
3
⎛
5 2 ⋅ 0.
3⋅10
⎞
⎜ 1+
+
⎟
⎜ 4 ⋅ 0.
3333 4.
20.
417 ⎟ kN kN
( −1)
⋅ 4.
2
⎜
= −4.
925
3
3
1 0.
3⋅10
2 ⋅ 0.
3⋅10
⎟ m m
⎜1
+ + +
0.
3333 4.
2 0.
417 4.
2 0.
833
⎟
⎝
⋅ ⋅ ⎠
F ΔTS
S L
F2.
T . k = =
e 1 S 2 S
C 1+
+ +
k L k fas.
1 L k fas.
2
3
0.
000012 ⋅ ( − 40)
0.
3⋅10
⋅ 4.
2
kN
= −1.
393
3
3
0.
1
1 0.
3⋅10
2 ⋅ 0.
3⋅10
m
1+
+ +
0.
3333 4.
2 ⋅ 0.
41 4.
2 ⋅ 0.
833
α
Combination
at the
ultimate
limit state
kN
F2. d = γ F F2.
q.
k + γ F ψ 0 F2.
T . k = −1.
5 ⋅ 4.
925 −1.
5⋅
0.
6 ⋅1.
393 = −8.
641
m
Support reaction at the end support
Wind
suction load
F1. q.
k = qk
L − F.
2.
q.
k
kN
2 = ( −1)
4.
2 − ( − 4.
925)
2 = −1.
737
m
Temperature
difference in
Winter (end
support)
Combination
at the
ultimate
limit state
F
1.
T . k
F ΔT
=
2e
α
0.
000012 ⋅
2 ⋅ 0.
1
C
W
( 50)
S L
1 S 2 S
1+
+ +
k L k L k
1+
1
0.
3333
fas.
1
F1. d = γ F F1.
q.
k + γ F ψ 0 F1.
T . k =
fas.
2
=
3
0.
3⋅10
⋅ 4.
2
= −0
3
3
0.
3⋅10
2 ⋅ 0.
3⋅10
+ +
4.
2 ⋅ 0.
41 4.
2 ⋅ 0.
833
−1.
5
⋅
1.
737
−
1.
5
⋅
0.
6
⋅
. 870
0.
870
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kN
m
= −3
. 39
kN
m

ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
ANNEX D
Annex D - Relative displacement between the internal and external face
RELATIVE DISPLACEMENT BETWEEN THE INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL
FACE
D.1 Mechanisms which cause deflections
γ
Shear-strain γ due to elastic shear deformation in the core
τ
=
G C
Bending rotation at the support
γ 1 = dw
dx
u = imposed deflection of the fastener, being the relative displacement between the
internal and the external skins at the head of the fastener. u is related to reference
point A in figure D.1.
u = u (γ1) - u (γ) (D1)
The calculated deflection u shall be less than the deflection u used in the test in
accordance to Section 2.4.
The displacement u of the head of the fasteners can be evaluated on the basis of the
superposition of displacements u (γ) and u (γ1) as shown in figure D1.
u = ′ γ ⋅
γ 1 ⋅ l − eC
(D2)
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γ 1
γ
w
γ 1
x
59

ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
In the following, calculation methods are given to determine γ and γ1 for different static
systems and load cases.
D.2 Calculation procedures for γ and γ1
60
Fig. D.1. Displacements at the end of sandwich panel.
The parameters and symbols which are used in these procedures are given in Section 1.2.
In addition:
S = e
C
BG
C
B + B
α=
B
β =
head
of fastener u
l'
F1 F2
BS 2
S L
shaft of
fastener
S
B u (γ)
A
γ 1
γ
u(γ1)
γ1
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eC
(D3)
(D4)
(D5)

ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
λ
2
tot
1 α
=
αβ
+
S
F1
F 2
Annex D - Relative displacement between the internal and external face
B = B + B + B
(D7)
where S is the shear rigidity of the sandwich panel, BF1 and BF1 the bending rigidity of the
profiled external and internal face layers and Bs the bending rigidity of the sandwich part of
the cross-section.
D.2.1 Sandwich panels with flat faces
D.2.1.1 Simply supported panel with uniformly distributed load qo
Q qL o
=
2
Q
γ =
S
oL
γ 1 =
24B
3
q o
S
q L
+
2S
D.2.1.2 Simply supported panel with a line load parallel to the supports
At the support A
L − a
Q = F
L
γ= Q
S
2
FL
2 3 F
γ 1 = [ 2ε
− 3ε
+ ε ] + ( 1−
ε )
6B
S
S
D.2.1.3 Simply supported panel with a temperature difference between the faces
γ = 0
γ =
1
[ α T − α T ]
F 2
2
2e
C
F1
1
L
where αF1 and αF2 are the coefficients of thermal expansion of faces 1 and 2, respectively.
eC
A
a
F
L
L
q 0
T 1 (°C)
T 2 (°C)
ε = a
L
a L
<
2
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(D6)
61

ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
D.2.1.4 Continuous panels
These are solved by the superposition of the simply supported system and the statically
indeterminate forces as shown below.
A C
L = L 1 + L 2
D.2.2 Sandwich panels with profiled faces
62
+ =
A B C
D.2.2.1 Simply supported panel with uniformly distributed load qo
3
qo
L β ⎡1 1 λ ⎤
γ = ⎢ − tan
B ⎣2
λ 2 ⎥
⎦
tot
3
qo
L ⎡ 1 1 1 λ ⎤
γ 1 = ⎢ + − tanh
2 3
B ⎣24
2αλ
αλ 2 ⎥
⎦
tot
D.2.2.2 Simply supported panel with a line load parallel to supports
At the support A
( 1 ε ) ⎤
⎥⎦
2
FL β ⎡ sinh λ −
γ = ⎢1
− ε −
⎣ sinh λ
Btot
2
FL ⎡1
γ 1 = ⎢
Btot
⎣6
2 3 1
[ 2ε
− 3ε
+ ε ] + ( 1−
ε )
L 1
⎡ sinh λ −
⎢ −
2
αλ
⎣ sinh λ
L 2
( 1 ε ) ⎤⎤
⎥⎦
⎥
⎦
A B C
L1 L2 D.2.2.3 Simply supported panel with a temperature difference between the faces
α
θ =
F 2T2
− α F1T1
e
C
tanh
2
λ θ L
γ = −
λ
γ
1
θ L ⎡1
1 λ ⎤
= −
1+
α ⎣
⎢ tanh
2 λ 2 ⎦
⎥
eC
A
a
F
L
T 1 (°C)
T 2 (°C)
ε= a
L
a L
< 2
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ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
D.2.2.4 Continuous panels
Annex D - Relative displacement between the internal and external face
The same procedure shall be followed as described for the panels with flat faces (see
D.2.1.4)
D.2.3 Approximate calculation for single or multi-span panels with flat or profiled faces
u
u
[ q ]
o
[ Δ T ]
3
qo
L e
=
24B
θ L
=
2
tot
eC
C
The limits of application of the above formulae are given by
L = L = L = L = L
L
1 2 3
S
BS
> 2.
5
REFERENCE FOR ANNEX D
L
L 1 = L L 2 = L
Toma A.W. 1984, Proposal for chapter 4 of the European Recommendations for
sandwich panels: Design of fastenings for sandwich panels. TNO Report BI-84-012. Delft.
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63

ECCS Publication - Preliminary E. R. for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
Preliminary European Recommendations for the Testing and Design of Fastenings for Sandwich Panels
64
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