Performance of structural insulated panels with metal skins subjected to windborne debris impact

• Published in: Composites. Part B, Engineering Engineering, 2020-10, Vol.198, p.108163, Article 108163
• Main Authors: Saini, Dikshant, Shafei, Behrouz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Composite panels; Impact simulations; Perforation resistance; Windborne debris hazard
• ISSN: 1359-8368; 1879-1069
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2020.108163

Structural insulated panels (SIPs), which consist of a composite of an insulating polymer foam sandwiched between two layers of structural skins, are widely used in residential and commercial buildings. Such panels, in the regions prone to hurricanes and tornadoes, are often exposed to the risk of windborne debris impact. Despite the consequences associated with damage to SIPs, the studies on their perforation resistance and design variables have been rather limited. To address this gap, the current study develops a computational framework to assess the vulnerability of the SIPs of various configurations subjected to a range of windborne debris impact scenarios. For this purpose, impact simulations are conducted to quantify the response and evaluate the extent of damage to the SIPs. The study is further extended to evaluate the effect of various structural details and material properties on the perforation resistance of the SIPs. Based on the simulation results, a set of vulnerability curves are developed to capture the risk of failure of the SIPs under the windborne debris hazard. This is expected to improve the design of this important category of wall panels, especially to ensure their safety and performance during severe windstorms.