Seismic behaviour of precast concrete beam-column connections with bolted end plates

Abstract

This paper presents the seismic behaviour of a dry beam-column connection with bolted end plates for precast concrete structures. Experimental tests were carried out on one cast-in-situ connection and three precast concrete connections with bolted end plates to study the behaviour under reversed cyclic loading. The load resistance, failure mode, ductility and energy dissipation capacity were determined from experimental results. Comparisons were made among different connections to show the influence of end plates and stiffeners on the connection behaviour. Test results showed that precast concrete connections with bolted end plates mainly dissipated energy through bending of the end plate and deformation of steel bolts. The final failure of connection resulted from the yielding of the end plate or crushing of concrete in the compression zone of beams, depending on the thickness of the end plate and the presence of stiffeners. The connection with bolted end plates could achieve good ductility and energy dissipation. Moreover, failure of columns and the joint core was prevented through the use of end plates. An analytical method was also proposed to evaluate the moment-rotation relationship of connections. The contributions of joint core, steel bolts and the end plate to rotational stiffness and moment resistance were quantified in the analytical method. Comparisons with test results showed that the analytical method can estimate the moment-rotation curve of connections with bolted end plates with good accuracy when failure of connection was dominated by steel bolts or the end plate. Design recommendations were also proposed for connections with bolted end plates.