Evaluating Structural Performance of U-shaped Precast Concrete Modular Joints

Abstract

We conducted a joint tensile test and a wall cyclic loading test to assess the structural performance of the U-shaped precast concrete (PC) modular joint. The rebar experienced fracture at the edge of the L-shaped steel during the joint tensile test. The calculated average ratio of the maximum load to the nominal strength, based on the strength of the rebar, was 1.07. The result of the wall cyclic loading test showed that the PW-1R specimen, featuring a single row of PC joints, exhibited ratios of the maximum moment to a nominal bending moment of 1.19 and 1.00 in the positive (+) and negative (-) directions, respectively. Meanwhile, the ratios of the maximum moment to the nominal bending moment for the PW-2R specimen with two rows of PC joints were 1.20 and 1.06 in the positive (+) and negative (-) directions, respectively. The adequate edge distance for the joint hardware must be ensured to increase the strength of the PC joint wall.