Reliability-based flexural design models for concrete sandwich wall panels with continuous GFRP shear connectors

This paper proposes design models for insulated concrete sandwich wall panels (SWPs) with GFRP grids against a flexural failure. The design models are developed by considering both ultimate and serviceability limit states. First, mean-prediction models for evaluating ultimate moments and cracking moments of SWPs are proposed, and second, they are further developed into design models by adding capacity factors (or safety factors). The capacity factors are statistically determined using the method provided in Eurocode 1990: 2002 [1]; this method considers the random distribution of resistance defined by evaluating both modeling and parametric uncertainties. Two capacity factors are calibrated for an ultimate limit state function and a serviceability limit state function. For a more convenient design process, a unified capacity factor is determined by combining both factors into a function of a nominal ultimate moment. The unified factor can be applied to achieve the ultimate limit state requirement, and at the same time it automatically achieves the serviceability requirement.