Shaking table testing of granite cladding with undercut bolt anchorage

Abstract

To investigate the seismic performance of granite cladding with undercut bolt anchorage and aluminum connectors, shaking table testing of full-scale specimens was performed. The floor spectrum was constructed and its compatible floor motion time history was generated and used as the input motion. A stiff steel frame was designed to provide the floor earthquake excitation to the cladding specimens installing on its four sides. Experimental results show that the aluminum connectors are the most seismically vulnerable components of the cladding system. The excessive relative in-plane sliding of the two-parts of the aluminum connectors governs the seismic performance of the whole system. While the out-of-plane deformation of the connectors absorbs part of the dynamic energy passed from the steel frame, which reduces the potential damage to the granite panels. The largest component acceleration amplification factor was determined to be about 2.9, which is larger than the recommended values in the current code provisions. Moreover, the experimentally estimated peak bending stress exceeded the design value. Finally, the seismic performance levels of the cladding were quantified and the corresponding fragility curves were also developed.