• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.587-608
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• 2009

Modern earthquake-resistant design aims to isolate architectural precast concrete panels from the structural system so as to reduce the interaction with the supporting structure and hence minimize damage. The present study seeks to maximize the cladding-structure interaction by developing an energy-dissipating cladding system (EDCS) that is capable of functioning both as a structural brace, as well as a source of energy dissipation. The EDCS is designed to provide added stiffness and damping to buildings with steel moment resisting frames with the goal of favorably modifying the building response to earthquake-induced forces without demanding any inelastic action and ductility from the basic lateral force resisting system. Because many modern building facades typically have continuous and large openings on top of the precast cladding panels at each floor level for window system, the present study focuses on spandrel type precast concrete cladding panel. The preliminary design of the EDCS was based on existing guidelines and research data on architectural precast concrete cladding and supplemental energy dissipation devices. For the component-level study, the preliminary design was validated and further refined based on the results of nonlinear finite element analyses. The stiffness and strength characteristics of the EDCS were established from a series of nonlinear finite element analyses and are discussed in detail in this paper.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.81-95
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• 2019

The unexpected seismic interaction of dry-assembled precast concrete frame structures typical of the European heritage with their precast cladding panels brought to extensive failures of the panels during recent earthquakes due to the inadequateness of their connection systems. Following this recognition, an experimental campaign of cyclic and pseudo-dynamic tests has been performed at ELSA laboratory of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission on a full-scale prototype of precast structure with vertical and horizontal cladding panels within the framework of the Safecladding project. The panels were connected to the frame structure by means of innovative arrangements of fastening systems including isostatic, integrated and dissipative. Many of the investigated configurations involved a strong frame-cladding interaction, modifying the structural behaviour of the frame turning it into highly non-linear since small deformation. In such cases, properly modelling the connections becomes fundamental in the framework of a design by non-linear dynamic analysis. This paper presents the peculiarities of the numerical models of precast frame structures equipped with the various cladding connection systems which have been set to predict and simulate the experimental results from pseudo-dynamic tests. The comparison allows to validate the structural models and to derive recommendations for a proper modelling of the different types of existing and innovative cladding connection systems.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to investigate the seismic performance of both exterior precast concrete cladding panels and their connections on steel frame, when these cladding systems are considered as the structural components. The degrees of their participation of lateral stiffness to the main building are evaluated in terms of different heights of the cladding panels. Considering the cladding system as an integrated building provides additional lateral stiffness, as well as a mechanism for energy dissipation and this system can be used as one of an advanced passive seismic control system. Hysteresis behaviors of connectors are modeled and integrated into a nonlinear finite element analysis program, ABAQUS. The results show that connections play the most important role in structural cladding system and they improve seismic performance of overall building response.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2017

Recent seismic events occurred in Italy (Emilia-Romagna 2012, Abruzzo 2009) and worldwide (New Zealand 2010 and 2011) highlighted some of the weaknesses of precast concrete industrial buildings, especially those related to the connecting systems traditionally employed to fasten the cladding panels to the internal framing. In fact, one of the most commons fails it is possible to observe in such structural typologies is related to the out-of-plane collapse of the external walls due to the unsatisfactory behaviour of the connectors used to join the panels to the perimeter beams. In this work, the strengthening of a traditional industrial building, assumed as a case study, made by precast reinforced concrete is proposed by the adoption of a dual system allowing the reinforcement of the structure by acting both internally; by pendular columns and, externally, on the walls. In particular, traditional connections at the top of the walls are substituted by devices able to work as a slider with vertical axis while, the bottom of the walls is equipped with two or more hysteretic dampers working on the uplift of the cladding panels occurring under seismic actions. By means of this approach, the structure is stiffened; obtaining a reduction of the lateral drifts under serviceability limit states. In addition, its seismic behaviour is improved due to the additional source of energy dissipation represented by the dampers located at the base of the walls. The effectiveness of the suggested retrofitting approach has been checked by comparing the performance of the retrofitted structure with those of the structure unreinforced by means of both pushover and Incremental Dynamic Analyses (IDA) in terms of behaviour factor, assumed as a measure of the ductility capacity of the structure.

• Journal of KIBIM
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.8-18
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• 2019

Precast concrete manufacturing has proved economies of scale through the repetitive production by means of standardization, automation, and prefabrication. Advanced digital design and fabrication technologies can empower its benefits by enabling mass customization in the building design and construction. This study analyzed five case studies in terms of 1) design intent and background, 2) module development and facade construction, 3) integrated process among project stakeholder. This article has attempted to establish the following three points in conclusion: 1) Form generating digital design tools such as Rhino, CATIA, Generative Component, and Digital Project were implemented to produce parametric surface pattern and rationalization to maximize existing precast manufacturing benefits. Also, BIM program has been used to promote coordination and communication among engineering consultants and contractors, 2) In addition to traditional precast concrete materials, GFRC, RFP, brick cladding precast and 3D printed mould have been introduced to reduce the weight and cost and to comply the code from the zoning, seismic, and fireproof requirements, 3) Design-assist contract, design-assist financial support, and co-location measures have been introduced to facilitate collaboration between architect, fabricator, and contractor from the beginning of the project.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2023.05a
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• pp.121-122
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• 2023

Existing modular research has been mainly focused on S (shelter structure) and I (infill interior finishing material), and considerable research has been conducted, and the results are being proposed. However, in the case of the rest (exterior materials and windows, etc.), existing construction methods and materials are borrowed, and supporting hardware members and insulation materials are constructed on site, which acts as a factor hindering overall shortening of the construction period. That is, since the advantages and characteristics of modularity cannot be utilized in the absence of modular cladding, manufacturing of cladding is required. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a cladding system that can drastically reduce the construction period in factories while considering the structural characteristics of PC modulars.