A Cold Formed Wall Panel For Building Construction A Case Study

In the spring of 2002, Old Dominion University, though our Technology Applications Center was asked to perform testing on a new type of structural wall panel. These panels will be used in interior and exterior applications and for load bearing and non-load bearing conditions. This testing was done in accordance with the criteria established by the owner's Engineer. The test involved positioning the wall panel in a testing apparatus and applying lateral, axial and shear loads and measuring the deflections and other performance indicators. The paper will outline the procedures and results used in the investigation. The paper will present the investigation in the format of a case study for several reasons. It is essential that students be exposed to code loadings for structures. The paper will evaluate the criteria and evaluate its appropriateness for the test being done. The paper will also introduce to students the procedure used to evaluate structural elements prior to their introduction into the marketplace. Another benefit to this case study is that it introduces the students to a new and evolving method of building construction.