Seismic Performance of Mechanical Connections in the SAFECAST Precast Building

A full-scale three-storey precast building was tested under seismic conditions at the ELSA Laboratory in the framework of the SAFECAST project. The unique research opportunity of testing a complete structural system was exploited to the maximum extent by subjecting the structure to a series of PsD tests and by using four different structural layouts of the same mock-up, while approximately 160 sensors were used to monitor the response of each layout. The main investigated parameter among all four structural configurations was the behavior of the mechanical connections between various precast elements. Dry mechanical connections were adopted to realize the joints between: floor-to-floor, floor-to-beam, wall-to-structure; column (and wall)-tofoundation and beam-to-column. The results demonstrate that the new beam-to-column connection system is a viable solution toward enhancing the response of precast RC frames subjected to seismic loads, in particular when the system is applied to all joints and strict quality measures are enforced in the execution of the joints.

BOURNAS Dionysios;  NEGRO Paolo; 

2013-10-14

International Association of Earthquake Engineering

JRC72586