Seismic performance of precast wide beam-column connections with asymmetrical anchorage reinforcement details

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the seismic performances of precast concrete (PC) wide beam-column connections under reversed cyclic loading, in which the precast beam width is 1.5 times larger than that of column. Experimental program consists of a monolithic reinforced concrete (RC) specimen and two PC specimens with unique connection details. To avoid reinforcement congestions and also to secure emulative connecting performances, the PC specimens were integrated by asymmetrically placed connecting bars anchored into the column panel zone, and their anchorage end details were chosen as a key testing variable. Detailed numerical models were developed to identify the failure mechanisms and key influencing factors of the cyclic responses of PC wide beam-column connections. It appeared that the precast wide beam-column connections with asymmetrical anchorage details can also provide the so-called emulative seismic performance as a monolithic connection. Significant effects of bond-slip behaviors of the anchorage connecting reinforcements in the joint and axial compression level of the column on the seismic performance of PC wide beam-column connections were also identified by the nonlinear numerical simulations.