How to model prefabricated panels.

[lcasprini]

Hi
I’m modeling a precast reinforced concrete industrial building.
There are prefabricated panels positioned outside the wire structure of the pillars, resting on the ground, connected to the pillars with steel elements.

How can I model prefabricated panels?

I think the best solution is to model an horizontal beam with equivalent load connected to the pillars with elements "link", and connected to the ground with a rigid element that exhausts the weight.

Is this the correct solution?
Thanks

[huffte]

In most circumstances there are multiple ways of obtaining an accurate solution. So there is probably no single 'correct' method. It would seem that a vertical beam-column with reduced E to account for shear deformations and attached to the steel pillars using links might be an appropriate representation of the wall elements. I may be missing something but cannot visualize how horizontal beams could adequately represent the walls. You will not have 2D elements, but could mimic the behavior of the wall with properly adjusted material and member properties.