Experimental investigation of precast concrete based dry mechanical column-column joints for precast concrete frames

摘要

This paper proposed a precast concrete-based dry mechanical joint for fully-restrained moment connections which can be used to connect reinforced concrete precast columns. In the proposed connections, a pair of steel plates is provided and connected by high-strength bolts to transfer axial loads and moments. One plate is installed at the bottom of upper columns, and another one is placed on the top of lower columns. The stiffness of the column plates is determined to enable axial loads and the moment to be transferred at joints, providing a fully-restrained moment connection between columns. The structural behavior of the moment connections was evaluated through experimental and analytical investigations. Through extensive experimental investigations, columns jointed with plates capable of sufficient stiffness and strength demonstrated structural behavior similar to those of conventional columns. The plate deformations which fail to transfer the moment were not prevented with columns jointed by plates incapable of providing sufficient stiffness and strength. A good match in terms of the load-displacement relationship and plate deformation was also demonstrated between the finite element analysis based prediction and the test data for all specimens. The introduced connections will contribute to modular offsite construction for buildings and heavy industrial plants.