ABSTRACT

Common structural sandwich elements made of concrete consist of a structural, load-bearing layer (h = 10-14 cm), a heat insulation layer and an outer facing (h ∼ 7 cm). Although in standard noncomposite action panels the outer facing has no structural function, a steel reinforcement is necessary to bear constraint forces caused by constricted deformations induced by temperature and shrinkage. In load-bearing structures as well as in façades a concrete cover of about 35 mm complying with current design codes (DIN 1045-1, MC 90) has to be provided to avoid corrosion of the steel reinforcement. If the massive outer layer of usual structural concrete panels is replaced by a thin-walled TRC-layer, the overall thickness of the panel can be reduced about 5-6 cm and the number of required connectors between the concrete layers diminishes. In case the inside facing is also produced with TRC in combination with a sustainable insulation foam light-weight sandwich structures with large spans can be obtained (Fig. 2).