Behaviour of glass and sisal incorporated gypsum based composite panels under axial compression-experimental and numerical study

Gypsum based composite (GBC) Wall panels are being used in precast concrete industry as the panels are low cost, energy consumption, good habitability, and good fire resistance. This paper presents the studies related to gypsum based composite panels incorporated with glass and sisal fibers. The main objective of the research is to investigate the capacity of gypsum based composite wall panel subjected to axial compression with and without eccentricity. The panels were loaded in axial compression with and without eccentricity. Gypsum, white cement, fibres (glass fibers or sisal fibers) are used to prepare composite panels of size 1000 (length) x 500 (width) x 125 (thickness) mm. Total four panels (two with glass fibers and two with sisal fibers) were tested under axial compression (two panels without eccentricity and two panels with eccentricity) were tested under load control. From the tests, it was observed that the eccentric load application on the panels is very significant compared to normal load application. Significant decrease in the ultimate load is observed for the case of panels subjected to eccentric loading. Nonlinear finite element analysis for the fibre incorporated (E-glass and sisal) gypsum based composite panels under axial compression has been carried out by using the general purpose finite element software.