Wind load resistance of prefabricated ALC-rock wool external wall panel system

Exterior wall enclosure systems in steel-frame residential buildings are prone to extensive cracking and detachment under wind loads. This study, through research and comparison of commonly used materials, identified the exterior wall panel system with the optimal comprehensive performance. To assess the wind load resistance of this system, 11 sets of tensile tests were conducted considering anchor bolt quantity and the bonding rate parameters between autoclaved lightweight concrete (ALC) panels and rock wool boards. The research investigated the failure modes, load-bearing capacity, and failure mechanisms of the external wall panel system under wind suction loads. Based on the experimental findings, a simplified finite element simulation method was proposed and subjected to parameter analysis. This analysis explored the impact of anchor bolt quantity and layout. The research indicates that under tensile loads, the external wall panel system primarily experiences interfacial damage between rock wool boards and coating mortars. Its load-bearing capacity consists of the net bonding force between rock wool boards and finishing layers, as well as the mechanical force between fiberglass mesh and anchors. The load bearing capacity can be enhanced by strengthening the overall integrity of the system and by expanding the contact area between the fiberglass mesh and the anchor plate, with specific structural measures such as increasing the number of anchor, the bond ratio, and the diameter of the anchor plate. The arrangement of anchors has a minor impact on the load-bearing capacity of the external wall panel system but significantly affects the deformation of rock wool boards. Based on experimental and finite element studies, a simplified calculation method for the tensile load-bearing capacity of external wall panels for engineering applications was further developed and proven to be accurate through comparison with experimental results.