LAUSR

Abstract Precast reinforced concrete frame is one of the industrialized building systems (IBS)s which assembling limitation in its precast beam-to-column connection (PBC) causes many problems and leads to design of pinned connections inappropriate for moment resisting frames (MRF)s in high seismic zones. Previous PBCs for MRFs in precast reinforced concrete structures (PRCS)s are classified in two “dry” and “semi-monolithic” connections. Despite of the easy installation procedures, most of dry connections have not showed acceptable performance in ductility and energy dissipation. On the other hand, semi-monolithic connections require long pending time for casting and scaffolding in construction site and lead to reinforcement congestion in beam-column joint. Also most of the precast beams in the both approaches have not appropriate bearing surface to create desirable beam-to-slab connection condition. The current study proposes a simple and efficient precast connection with suitable conditions for beam-to-slab connection, which could be also used in MRFs, through combining two approaches. To accomplish this, two external beam-to-column joints on 2/3 scale were designed in precast and in-situ forms. In the following, the proposed PBC connection was compared using the reverse cyclic test with the in-situ beam-to-column connection (IBC). The test results demonstrated that the proposed PBC had a higher load-carrying capacity, energy dissipation and ductility than those of the equivalent IBC and met all the seismic requirements of ACI374.1-05 criteria for moment resistant connections. Finally, the connections were simulated with finite element method (FEM) in ATENA software to develop the test results. At this stage, the finite element analysis predictions for load-carrying capacity, cracking pattern and strain values indicated good conformance with the test results and then the effect of parameters such as compressive strength of concrete, axial force of column and beam end plates length were investigated. An increase in concrete strength and axial force caused to more load-carrying capacity and strength degradation in the beam-column joints, respectively.