Title:
Efficient Seismic-Resistant Vertical Dry Connections in Precast Walls
Author(s):
A Selva Ganesa Moorthi and G. Appa Rao
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
122
Issue:
5
Appears on pages(s):
107-122
Keywords:
ductile connection; experimental study; precast structural wall; quasi-static test; reinforced concrete (RC); seismic resistant; welded joint
DOI:
10.14359/51746816
Date:
9/1/2025
Abstract:
Prefabricated structural wall buildings exhibit superior strength, stiffness, and ductility under seismic loading effects. Segmental wall construction is popular due to easy transportation and on-site assembly. The present study deals with the performance of precast wall elements connected through welded plates vertically subjected to seismic loading conditions. The study proposes welded plates with varying thickness to connect two structural walls on one or both faces. Full-scale quasi-static load tests were performed to analyze the seismic behavior of the connections. A conventional foundation with loading beams at top and bottom, to test the structural walls, was replaced with a special steel shoe setup, achieving real conditions, to minimize the testing cost. It was observed that the connections using mild steel plates achieve the most desirable characteristics such as plate yielding, energy dissipation, and ductility. High-strength steel plates failed in brittle mode with poor post-peak response, indicating precautions in selecting the type of connecting steel plates in precast construction. The proposed connecting plates improve the ductility and post-peak response for easy retrofitting of the precast wall system. The study brings out improvement in the seismic performance, selection of materials, and connection detailing for resilient precast structures.
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