Mechanical fasteners for cladding sandwich panels:: Interpretative models for shear behaviour

Abstract The shear performance of screwed connection systems usually adopted for lightweight sandwich panels is investigated in this paper. First of all, after brief considerations concerning the possibility to use cladding panels as diaphragm in steel building and the corresponding connecting system requirements, the results of available monotonic and cyclic experimental analyses on several connection typologies are summarised. Then mathematical models able to interpret both monotonic and cyclic behaviour of the connections are proposed. In particular, the mathematical cyclic model is based on the previously defined envelope curve, which is expressed by means of a Ramberg-Osgood type law relationship and calibrated trough monotonic tests. Finally, the comparison between experimental and numerical results is carried out, focussing on the actual dissipative capacities of such connection typologies.