Seismic performance of precast concrete frame with energy dissipative cladding panel system: Half-scale test and numerical analysis

Abstract

An energy dissipative cladding panel system was proposed for large precast concrete cladding panels in multi-story buildings. A six-story, three-span planar prototype frame structure with energy dissipative cladding panel was designed to evaluate the seismic performance and damage control effects of the precast concrete frame with the proposed energy dissipative cladding panel system. The bottom two stories of the middle span were selected as the test substructure and were tested under cyclic loading. The damage evolution mode and seismic performance of this structure were identified. A numerical simulation method was recommended for such a structure based on the damage characteristics observed in the two-story substructure, and validated against the test results. The seismic responses of the six-story prototype frame structure with and without the energy dissipative cladding panel were then compared through nonlinear time-history analyses under near- and far-field ground motions. The analysis results indicated that the maximum inter-story drift ratios of the precast concrete frame with energy dissipative cladding panel were 23.8%–35.2% and 19.8%–41.6% lower than those of the bare precast concrete frame under far- and near-field ground motions, respectively. The maximum inter-story drift ratios of the precast concrete frame with energy dissipative cladding panel under near-field motions were 1.72 and 1.76 times those under far-field motions under the maximum considered and very rare earthquakes, respectively.