Seismic Performance of a Rocking Precast Concrete Cladding Panel System under Lateral Cyclic Displacement Demands

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper experimentally investigates the seismic performance of an innovative ‘rocking’ precast concrete cladding panel system. Quasi-static cyclic loading tests were conducted on a sub-assembly of three ‘rocking’ panel pairs attached to a 3D steel structure, with and without sealant in the vertical joints between adjacent panels. The sub-assembly included a flat panel pair, an L-shaped panel pair and an oblique corner panel pair. Although the loading was applied in a single direction, the alignments of the panel pairs allowed scrutinizing their in-plane, out-of-plane and bi-directional performances. The test results validated the low-damage attributes of the novel cladding system, which was able to accommodate large cyclic drifts with minor physical damage to the panels and their connections with the structures. Up to a cyclic drift of 4.0%, the only forms of damage observed were tearing of the sealants in between the panel pairs, dislocation of backer rods behind some sealants, dislodgement of a grout piece, and loosening of a nut supporting a corner panel. All these forms of damage are minor and repairable, which can be avoided by making some minor changes to the details of the system.