ABSTRACT
The present investigation is a methodology study in which the effect of friction on the Energy Absorption Capacity (EAC) in round and square panel tests (with continuous simple support) has been investigated. The full investigation is reported in Bjøntegaard (2009). The primary motive for the present study was observations of friction effects during earlier tests (Myren & Bjøntegaard 2008, Bjøntegaard & Myren 2008, Myren & Bjøntegaard 2009). From the literature it has been reported that a 15-20% friction effect exists for ASTM C-1550 round panels with 3-point determinate support (Bernard 2005), but such documentation appears to be absent for continuous support conditions. Any friction forces between the panel and the support fixture during this type of testing, independent of type of support, will be apparent as energy absorption (internal work) within the Fibre Reinforced Sprayed Concrete (FRSC) panel and consequently the EAC determined from a test will be over-estimated. In addition, variations in friction will also contribute to increased scatter.
