Uzbekistan belongs to the regions with increased seismic activity. Therefore, when designing buildings, special attention is paid to the ability of structures to withstand dynamic loads. In such conditions, not only the strength of individual materials is important, but also the operation of the building as a single system. Accordingly, when choosing a construction technology, it is necessary to understand well what role sandwich panels play in ensuring the earthquake resistance of the facility.
Due to this, resistance to seismic loads is achieved.
It is widely believed that wall panels take the main load during an earthquake. In practice, the supporting function is performed by a metal or reinforced concrete frame, and sandwich panels serve as enclosing structures. However, their characteristics also affect the reliability of the building. The stability of the facility is positively influenced by such features:
• low dead weight of the panels, which reduces the total mass of the building and, consequently, reduces inertial loads during seismic fluctuations;
• high rigidity of the multilayer structure with a relatively small thickness;
• factory precision manufacturing, which ensures a tight fit of the elements and reduces the likelihood of gaps;
• mechanical fastening of panels to the supporting frame using special fasteners designed for operational loads;
• the possibility of replacing individual damaged panels without dismantling a significant part of the enclosing structures.
For example, the weight of 1 m2 of a wall sandwich panel with mineral wool filler is usually about 15-25 kg, depending on the thickness. For comparison, a brick wall of a similar area can weigh more than 180-250 kg. That is, due to the significantly lower mass of the panels, the load on the foundation is reduced and the impact of inertial forces during an earthquake is reduced.
What determines the actual earthquake resistance of the building?
Even high-quality sandwich panels by themselves do not guarantee the safety of the facility. The crucial role here is played by the competent design of the entire structure, taking into account current building regulations and estimated seismic loads. Thus, when developing a project, it is necessary to take into account the following parameters::
• compliance of the supporting frame with the calculated seismicity of the construction area;
• correct selection of the thickness and type of sandwich panels, depending on the purpose of the building;
• the use of fasteners recommended by the manufacturer and compliance with the installation technology;
• meeting the requirements for the design of junctions, temperature joints and structural joints.
Errors during installation work can significantly reduce the reliability of a building, even when using high-quality materials. Therefore, the installation must be carried out in strict accordance with the design documentation and technical requirements. With proper design, sandwich panel buildings are successfully used for the construction of warehouses, production halls, logistics complexes, retail facilities and other structures in seismically active areas.
It is an integrated approach — from engineering calculations to the choice of materials — that allows us to obtain a reliable design designed for long-term operation. MaxProduct specialists, where you can order high-quality sandwich panels, are ready to assist in the development and implementation of projects tailored to the specifics of a particular facility.