Using GFRP to develop the mechanical performance of structural insulated panels

Abstract

As an energy efficient means of construction, structural insulated panels (SIP) are now widely used in the world. In this paper, Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) sheets were used as strengthening materials in the SIPs to develop the mechanical performance of it. Eighteen specimens were constructed. Six of them were normal SIPs used as control specimens while twelve specimens were SIPs with different GFRP sheets pasted between face boards and foam cores. Compressive and flexural test programs were conducted to provide a basic understanding of the mechanical performance of this new kind of SIP panel system. The results showed that, the new kind of SIP materials behaved better load bearing capacity and better ductility.