Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

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

  • Original Research Paper
  • Published:
Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Belleri A, Riva P (2012) Seismic performance and retrofit of precast concrete grouted sleeve connections. PCI J 57:97–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Biondini F, Titi A, Toniolo G (2012) Pseudodynamic tests and numerical simulations on a full-scale prototype of a multi-storey precast structure. 15th world conference of earthquake engineering (WCEE), Lisbon, Portugal, September 24–28, paper no. 1468

  • Buratti N, Bacci L, Mazzotti L (2012) Seismic behaviour of grouted sleeve connections between foundations and precast columns. 15th world conference of earthquake engineering (WCEE), Lisbon, Portugal, September 24–28, paper no. 1525

  • CEB (1985) model code for seismic design of concrete structures. Bulletin d’information CEB n. 165. Fédération Internationale du Béton/International Federation for Structural Concrete, Lausanne, Switzerland

  • CEB-FIP (2008) Structural connections for precast concrete buildings. fib Bulletin 43. State of the art report prepared by task group 7.3. Fédération Internationale du Béton/International Federation for Structural Concrete, Lausanne, Switzerland

  • CEN-EN 1998–1:2004 (2004) Eurocode 8: design of structures for earthquake resistance—part 1 general rules, seismic actions and rules for buildings. European Committee for Standardization, Brussels

    Google Scholar 

  • CSI (Computers and Structures Inc.) (2010) SAP2000 v14 integrated finite element analysis and design of structures. CSI, Berkeley

    Google Scholar 

  • Dal Lago B, Dal Lago A (2012) Precast structures with adaptable restraints. 15th world conference of earthquake engineering (WCEE), Lisbon, Portugal, September 24–28, paper no. 2305

  • Dal Lago B, Lamperti M, Toniolo G (2013) Experimental behaviour of semi-dry column-foundation connections for precast buildings. Studies and researches, F.lli Pesenti Master school. Politecnico di Milano 32:249–268

    Google Scholar 

  • Dowell RK, Seible F, Wilson EL (1998) Pivot hysteresis model for reinforced concrete members. ACI Struct J 95(5):607–617

    Google Scholar 

  • Fagà E, Bianco L, Bolognini D, Nascimbene R (2010) Comparison between numerical and experimental cyclic response of alternative column to foundation connections of RC precast structures. 3rd international fib congress and exhibition, May 29th–June 2nd, Washington DC

  • Fajfar P, Gaspersic P (1996) The N2 method for the seismic analysis of RC buildings. Earthq Eng Struct Dyn 25:31–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakaki SD, Stanton JF, Sritharan S (1999) An overview of the PRESSS five-story precast test building. PCI J 44(2):26–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Negro P, Toniolo G (eds) (2012) Design guidelines for connections of precast structures under the seismic action. European Commission Joint Research Centre Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg

  • Negro P, Bournas DA, Molina J (2013) Pseudodynamic tests on a full-scale 3-storey precast concrete building: global response. Eng Struct 57:594–608

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paulay T, Priestley MJN (1992) Seismic design of reinforced concrete and masonry buildings. Wiley, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Popa V, Papurcu A, Cotofana D, Pascu R (2015) Experimental testing on emulative connections for precast columns using grouted corrugated steel sleeves. Bull Earthq Eng 13:2429–2447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Priestley MJN, Calvi GM, Kowalsky MJ (2007) Displacement-based seismic design of structures. IUSS press, Pavia

    Google Scholar 

  • Saisi A, Toniolo G (1998) Precast r.c. columns under cyclic loading: an experimental programme oriented to EC8. Studies and researches, F.lli Pesenti Master school. Politecnico di Milano 19:373–414

    Google Scholar 

  • Sargin M (1971) Stress–strain relationship for concrete and analysis of structural concrete sections. Study n. 4. Solid Mechanics Division, University of Waterloo, Waterloo

    Google Scholar 

  • Toniolo G (2012) SAFECAST project: European research on seismic behaviour of the connections of precast structures. 15th world conference of earthquake engineering (WCEE), Lisbon, Portugal, September 24–28, paper no. 1389

Download references

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.

Author information

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

Authors
  1. Bruno Dal Lago
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Giandomenico Toniolo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Marco Lamperti Tornaghi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bruno Dal Lago.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

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

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

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

Keywords

Search

Navigation