Title: Behavior of Flange Connectors of Precast Prestressed Double Tees

Author(s): Wei Zhou, Hao Li, and Wenlong Zhang

Publication: Structural Journal

Volume: 118

Issue: 6

Appears on pages(s): 7-18

Keywords: depth of double-tee flanges; flange-type connectors; loading patterns; prestressed double tees

DOI: 10.14359/51732992

Date: 11/1/2021

Abstract:
Double tees are widely used as floor systems in the large-span precast concrete buildings, and they are often joined with mechanical connectors to form a floor system. The properties of flange-type connectors directly affect the in-plane behavior of double-tee diaphragms; however, few investigations have been carried out regarding the shear behavior of double-tee connectors with pretopping slabs or subjected to out-of-plane shear, despite such connectors having been extensively applied in practice. A total of nine connector tests were conducted under a variety of loading conditions with both monotonic and cyclic reversing in-plane shear. The failure modes, load-deformation relationship, and bearing capacity of the two types of mechanical connectors were obtained. Test results show that the seismic performance of plate bar (PB) and hairpin (HP) mechanical connectors is independent, and the high temperature generated by welding directly reduces the mechanical properties of these connectors. The test results also show that the pretopped slabs can effectively improve the strength and deformation capacity of the PB connector.