Mechanical behavior of a replaceable energy dissipation device for precast concrete beam-column connections

Abstract

A replaceable energy dissipation device for precast concrete beam-column connections is proposed in this paper, which is comprised by a short length of a H-shaped steel section with web opening. Five full scale specimens under different loading conditions were tested, and its performance was evaluated based on the ultimate load-carrying capacity, stiffness, energy dissipation, and ductility. The experimental results proved that the device has excellent energy dissipation capacity, rotation capacity and ductility. Furthermore, the device under pure shear load and bending-shear load exhibits different failure modes. Subsequently, finite element (FE) models were developed and validated by the test results. Based on the verified FE models, a parametric study was carried out to investigate the influence of span-height ratio, type of web opening, and load boundary condition on the performance of the device. The analysis results showed that the crack of the device under pure shear load is mainly concentrated at the chamfers, while the crack of the device under bending-shear load gradually shifts from the welding position between the flange and the end plate to the chamfers of the web opening when the span-height ratio increases from 0.77 to 3.0. Moreover, the type of web opening has a significant effect on the ultimate load-carrying capacity and strength degradation of the device. Finally, a case study of a precast RC beam-column joint connected by the device was investigated, and the results indicated that the seismic performance of the precast joint is better than that of the monolithic joint in terms of the deformation capacity, energy dissipation capacity and ductility. Therefore, it is recommended that the device can be used for the precast concrete beam-column connections.