Development of a new connection for precast concrete walls subjected to cyclic loading

The Industrialized Building System （IBS） was recently introduced to minimize the time and cost of project construction. Accordingly, ensuring the integration of the connection of precast components in IBS structures is an important factor that ensures stability of buildings subjected to dynamic loads from earthquakes, vehicles, and machineries. However, structural engineers still lack knowledge on the proper connection and detailed joints o fiBS structure construction. Therefore, this study proposes a special precast concrete wall-to-wall connection system for dynamic loads that resists multidirectional imposed loads and reduces vibration effects （PI2014701723）. This system is designed to connect two adjacent precast wall panels by using two steel U-shaped channels （i.e., male and female joints）. During casting, each joint is adapted for incorporation into a respective wall panel after considering the following conditions： one side of the steel channel opens into the thickness face of the panel; a U-shaped rubber is implemented between the two channels to dissipate the vibration effect; and bolts and nuts are used to create an extension between the two U-shaped male and female steel channels. The developed finite element model of the precast wall is subjected to cyclic loads to evaluate the performance of the proposed connection during an imposed dynamic load. Connection performance is then compared with conventional connections based on the energy dissipation, stress, deformation, and concrete damage in the plastic range. The proposed precast connection is capable of exceeding the energy absorption of precast walls subjected to dynamic load, thereby improving its resistance behavior in all principal directions.

Simplified theoretical analysis and numerical study on the dynamic behavior of FCP under blast loads

Precast concrete structures have developed rapidly in the last decades due to the advantages of better quality,non-pollution and fast construction with respect to conventional cast-in-place structures.In the present study,a theoretical model and nonlinear 3D model are developed and established to assess the dynamic behavior of precast concrete slabs under blast load.At first,the 3D model is validated by an experiment performed by other researchers.The verified model is adopted to investigate the blast performance of fabricated concrete panels(FCPs)in terms of parameters of the explosive charge,panel thickness,and reinforcement ratio.Finally,a simplified theoretical model of the FCP under blast load is developed to predict the maximum deflection.It is indicated that the theoretical model can precisely predict the maximum displacement of FCP under blast loads.The results show that the failure modes of the panels varied from bending failure to shear failure with the mass of TNT increasing.The thickness of the panel,reinforcement ratio,and explosive charges have significant effects on the anti-blast capacity of the FCPs.