Effect of autoclaved lightweight concrete panels on the mechanical performance of container building and its equivalent method

As a new structure system using containers as building modules, container building has been widely promoted around the world. However, research on the mechanical performance of container building is rare, especially the one using autoclaved lightweight concrete panels as enclosure materials. This article mainly studied the effect of autoclaved lightweight concrete panels on the mechanical performance of container building and its equivalent method. First, container finite element model with autoclaved lightweight concrete panels infilled was established, and mechanical performance and working principle of nine container models under five loading scenarios were analyzed. Then, integral equivalent model considering the effect of autoclaved lightweight concrete panels was established, and its lateral stiffness was compared with that of a pure frame model. Results show that autoclaved lightweight concrete panels could effectively enhance the lateral stiffness and ultimate capacity of container module. Equivalent spring model could effectively simulate the stiffness enhancement provided by the autoclaved lightweight concrete panels, and the story stiffness of a seven-floor container building with the effect considered rises by 60% approximately than that of a pure frame model. The results could provide technical support for economic and rational design and application of container building.