Numerical simulations of ultra-lightweight steel-concrete-steel sandwich composite panels subjected to impact

This paper presents a simplified three-dimensional Finite Element (FE) model of steel-ultra-lightweight-concrete-steel (SLCS) sandwich composite panel with novel J-hook shear connectors. The FE model was applied in the present study to simulate the response of SLCS sandwich panels subjected to 1.2 ton drop-weight impact. Comparison with impact test data shows that the simplified FE model is able to describe the permanent deformation and displacement time-history of the sandwich panels with reasonable accuracy. In the FE simulation, it was observed that all Jhook connectors were under tension during impact except for the connectors positioned directly below the projectile. This signifies the role of the connectors in preventing separation of steel plates and maintaining the integrity of the sandwich system under impact loading.