Improvements to portal frame design using stressed skin action of sandwich panels

When used as roof and wall claddings, sandwich panels can offer many advantages such as better appearance, thermal insulation and strength. They can also develop a significant stressed skin action that can be used to resist wind loads on portal frame buildings. However, this beneficial effect is generally ignored by Australian designers since roof claddings are crest-fixed. To utilise this effect, a suitable design methodology and associated strength parameters must be developed. This paper investigates the possibility of combining three dimensional computer modelling with the results of a detailed experimental program to produce economical and safe portal frame buildings with crest-fixed sandwich panels. A design method is presented along with guidelines for three dimensional computer modelling