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Influence of different mechanical column-foundation connection devices on the seismic behaviour of precast structures

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Abstract

Dry-assembled precast concrete frame structures are typically made with dowel beam-to-column connections, which allow relative rotation along the beam direction. In the orthogonal direction the rotation of the beam is prevented but again the connections of the superimposed floor elements allow for relative rotation. All the ductility and energy dissipation demand in case of seismic action is therefore concentrated at the base of cantilever columns. Hence, the column-to-foundation connection plays a key role on the seismic performance of such structures. Mechanical connection devices, even if correctly designed for what concerns resistance, may affect the behaviour of the whole joint modifying the ductility capacity of the columns and their energy dissipation properties. An experimental campaign on different mechanical connection devices has been performed at Politecnico di Milano within the Safecast project (European programme FP7-SME-2007-2, Grant agreement No. 218417, 2009). The results of cyclic tests on full scale structural sub-assembly specimens are presented. Design rules are suggested for each of the tested connections on the basis of the experimental observations, and numerical analyses have been performed with hysteretic parameters calibrated on the experimental loops. The seismic performance of structures provided with those connections is investigated through a case study on a multi-storey precast building prototype, which has also been subject to full-scale pseudo-dynamic testing within the same research project at the European Laboratory of Structural Assessment of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. The comparison of the results from the structure provided with the different studied connections clearly highlights how some solutions may lead to both reduction of ductility capacity and dissipation of energy, increasing the expected structural damage and the seismic risk.

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Acknowledgments

The present investigation has been developed within the scope of the research project SAFECAST supported by an European Commission contribution in the Programme FP7-SME-2007-2 with Grant Agreement No. 218417, 2009. Veronica Persico is gratefully acknowledged for her contribution to the numerical analyses. Laboratorio Prove Materiali of Politecnico di Milano is also gratefully acknowledged for the contribution to the execution of the experimental campaign, especially Antonio Cocco, Paolo Broglia and Giovanni Lobina. Martini prefabbricati of Medole (Italy) is acknowledged for the construction of the specimens. DLC consulting of Milan is acknowledged for the contribution to the technical drawings. Stefano Terletti and Diego Carminati from Halfen Italia and Roberto Ragozzini from Ruredil are finally acknowledged for their collaboration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza L. da Vinci, 32, 20133, Milan, Italy

    Bruno Dal Lago & Giandomenico Toniolo

  2. European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Directorate Space Security and Migration, Unit Safety and Security of Buildings, via Enrico Fermi, 2749, 21027, Ispra, Italy

    Marco Lamperti Tornaghi

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  1. Bruno Dal Lago
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  2. Giandomenico Toniolo
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  3. Marco Lamperti Tornaghi
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Correspondence to Bruno Dal Lago.

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Dal Lago, B., Toniolo, G. & Lamperti Tornaghi, M. Influence of different mechanical column-foundation connection devices on the seismic behaviour of precast structures. Bull Earthquake Eng 14, 3485–3508 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-016-0010-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-016-0010-9

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