Experimental Study on Seismic Performance of Precast Concrete Shear Wall with Joint Connecting Beam Under Cyclic Loadings

Abstract

Structural connections are a major feature for the seismic performance of precast concrete shear walls. A joint connecting beam (JCB) is proposed as an alternative to the widely used technologies of mechanic sleeve and sleeve-mortar splicing connections to connect the reinforcement of precast concrete shear walls. The JCB is composed of staggered splicing rectangular steel loops protruding from the wall panel, an assembly of longitudinal steel bars and stirrups, and casted concrete. This paper describes the horizontal cyclic loading tests performed on six slender precast concrete shear walls with the JCB subjected to constant axial loading and located at different heights along the wall; the performance of the specimens is compared with that of a monolithic shear wall. The collapse of the test specimen, the top lateral loading-displacement hysteretic curve, lateral load capacity, deformation, energy dissipation, stiffness degradation and reinforcement strain were analyzed. The test results show that the shear bearing capacity of precast concrete shear walls with a JCB is slightly smaller than that of a monolithic shear wall; the failure mode, stiffness degradation and energy dissipation capacity of the precast shear wall specimen are similar to those of the monolithic shear wall specimen, with a superior ductility factor. The results indicate that the concept and detailing of the joint connecting beam is feasible and applicable to precast concrete shear wall structures. The proposed system has the advantages of no welding, no costly mechanic sleeves and speeds up the construction progress of precast concrete structure. Recommendations on structural design are proposed for further application in the field.