Development and testing of damage controllable precast beam–column connection under reverse cyclic loading

Abstract

The prime goal of this research is to develop a damage controllable system in the precast beam–column connection using un-bonded steel rods (dissipaters) and cleat angle. To achieve this goal, two precast specimens were studied and their seismic performances were related to the monolithic specimen. One-third model specimens were studied. The column and beam elements were connected using cleat angle and un-bonded steel rod (dissipaters) in the first precast specimen. The second precast specimen was similar to the first specimen, but modified with the provision of channel section and steel duct at the beam end region. Reverse cyclic loading under displacement control was applied to the specimens. The damage mechanism, peak strength, force–displacement envelope curve, hysteretic response, energy dissipation, secant stiffness, hysteretic damping ratio and stiffness degradation were assessed and compared among the specimens. The dissipater’s strain profiles were also estimated. From the test results, the modified precast specimen suffered the minimal stiffness degradation with 12% peak strength enhancement in the positive direction with respect to the monolithic specimen. The seismic performance of modified precast specimen was higher to the unmodified precast specimen. It is concluded that the provision of channel section and steel duct to the precast beam–column connection improved the seismic performance with minimal structural damage.