• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-22
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• 2018

Multi-storey precast concrete skeletal structures are assembled from individual prefabricated components which are erected on-site using various types of connections. In the current design of these structures, beam-to-column connections are assumed to be pin jointed. Welded plate beam to-column connections have been used in the precast concrete industry for many years. They have many advantages over other jointing methods in component production, quality control, transportation and assembly. However, there is at present limited information concerning their detailed structural behaviour under bending and shear loadings. The experimental work has involved the determination of moment-rotation relationships for semi-rigid precast concrete connections in full scale connection tests. The study reported in this paper was undertaken to clarify the behaviour of such connections under symmetrical vertical loadings. A series of full-scale tests was performed on sample column for which the column geometry and weld arrangements conformed with successful commercial practice. Proprietary hollow core slabs were tied to the beams by tensile reinforcing bars, which also provide the in-plane continuity across the connections. The strength of the connections in the double sided tests was at least 0.84 times the predicted moment of resistance of the composite beam and slab. The secant stiffness of the connections ranged from 0.7 to 3.9 times the flexural stiffness of the attached beam. When the connections were tested without the floor slabs and tie steel, the reduced strength and stiffness were approximately a third and half respectively. This remarkable contribution of the floor strength and stiffness to the flexural capacity of the joint is currently neglected in the design process for precast concrete frames. In general, the double sided connections were found to be more suited to a semi-rigid design approach than the single sided ones. The behaviour of double sided welded plate connection test results are presented in this paper. The behaviour of single sided welded plate connection test results is the subject of another paper.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.603-622
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• 2018

Precast concrete structures are erected from individual prefabricated components, which are assembled on-site using different types of connections. In the present design of these structures, beam-to-column connections are assumed pin jointed. Bolted billet beam to-column connections have been used in the precast concrete industry for many years. They have many advantages over other jointing methods in component production, quality control, transportation and assembly. However, there is currently limited information concerning their detailed structural behaviour under vertical loadings. The experimental work has involved the determination of moment-relative rotation relationships for semi-rigid precast concrete connections in full-scale connection tests. The study reported in this paper was undertaken to clarify the behaviour of such connections under symmetrical vertical loadings. A series of full-scale tests was performed on sample column for which the column geometry and bolt arrangements conformed to successful commercial practice. Proprietary hollow core floor slabs were tied to the beams by 2T25 tensile reinforcing bars, which also provide the in-plane continuity across the connections. The contribution of the floor strength and stiffness to the flexural capacity of the joint is currently neglected in the design process for precast concrete frames. The flexural strength of the connections in the double-sided tests was at least 0.93 times the predicted moment of resistance of the composite beam and slab. The secant stiffness of the connections ranged from 0.94 to 1.94 times the flexural stiffness of the attached beam. In general, the double-sided connections were found to be more suited to a semi-rigid design approach than the single sided ones. The behaviour of double sided bolted billet connection test results are presented in this paper. The behaviour of single sided bolted billet connection test results is the subject of another paper.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2015

Due to the increasing number of deteriorated bridges worldwide, the importance of maintenance and replacement of existing bridges are being emphasized. Cast-in-place concrete deck which is mainly applied to deck replacement of existing bridges have problems such as deterioration concerns by initial crack, labor cost increase, difficulties of maintenance and replacement, construction time increase, and indirect cost increase by traffic congestion. On the contrary, a precast concrete deck is considered as an effective alternative because of its quality assurance and accelerated construction. The connection method ensuring the required strength and durability is especially important, because the connection part of the precast concrete deck is vulnerable to cracks and leakage. Therefore, this study proposes precast bridge decks with ribbed connection which are more improved than existing bridge deck joints, and flexural performance is verified through various parameter tests.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Structure & Construction
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.45-52
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• 2017

The precast concrete (PC) method has many advantages in fast construction, quality control, etc. In domestic construction market, however, its application has been quite limited because of the concerns about structural integrity and seismic performances due to the discrete connections between precast concrete members. By applying the post-tensioning method, the precast beam-column connection can be well tightened, allowing improved structural integrity, and proper seismic performances can be also achieved. In this study, reversed cyclic tests have been conducted on the beam-column connection specimens, where the test variables included the compressive strength of grouting mortar and the tensile strengths of prestressing strands, based on which their seismic performances have been examined in detail. The post-tensioned PC beam-column connections showed good seismic performances comparable to that of the monolithic reinforced concrete connection specimen. When 2400 MPa prestressing strands are applied to the beam-column connection, it is preferable to adjust the prestress level similar to that applied for the 1860 MPa prestressing strands to avoid premature local crushing failures at the beam-column connections.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.5A
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• pp.873-880
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• 2006

PSC composite bridge with precast decks which was designed by the proposed horizontal shear equation was fabricated. Fatigue test was performed to evaluate the endurance of shear connection and the behavior of PSC composite bridge. After all the fatigue loading were applied, no crack and no residual slip were occurred. The flexural stiffness of PSC composite bridge was maintained the initial value, and demage of shear connection was not occurred. To verify the applicability of horizontal shear equation and shear connection detail and to evaluate the strength of PSC composite bridges, static test was also executed. PSC composite bridges with precast decks had 2.08 safety factor which was the ratio of crack to serviceability load and showed ductile behavior after ultimate load. Test results showed that the proposed design equation of the shear connection gave reasonable horizontal shear connection design. Fast and easy construction would be achieved using the suggested precast system.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.541-562
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• 2015

This paper aims at developing the knowledge on the seismic behavior of dowel beam-to-column connections, typically employed in precast buildings in Europe. Despite the large diffusion of the industrial buildings, a high seismic vulnerability was exhibited by these structures, mostly due to the connection systems deficiencies, during some recent earthquakes (Emilia 2012, Turkey 2011). An experimental campaign was conducted on a typical dowel connection between an external column and a roof beam. In this paper, the performed cyclic shear test is described. According to the experimental results, the seismic response of the system is evaluated in terms of strength, stiffness and failure mechanism. Moreover, the complete damage pattern of the test is described by means of the instrumentations records. The connection failure occurred due to the concrete cover failure in the column (splitting failure). Such a mechanism corresponds to a negligible energy dissipation capacity of the connection, compared to the overall seismic response of the structure. The experimental results are also compared with the results of a similar monotonic shear test, as well as with some literature relationships for predicting the strength of dowel connections under horizontal (seismic) loads.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.377-387
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• 2014

This paper presents an experimental study on socket base connections of precast reinforced concrete columns. The main purpose of this study is to determine socket base connection which has the closest behavior to monolithic casted column-base joints. For this purpose, six specimens having different column-socket base connection details were tested under cyclic loading. For each test, strength, stiffness, ductility and drift ratios of the specimens were determined. Test results indicated that a suggested connection type is 10%-30% stronger than the other type of connections under lateral loading. The welded connection (PC-5) had better lateral load carrying capacity and ductility. On the other hand, performance of standard connection (PC-1) which is commonly used in construction was weaker than other connections. Thus, decision of connection type should be referred not only performance but also applicability.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.397-408
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• 2001

Bolted connections are used commonly in the precast reinforced concrete structures. In such structures, to perform structural analysis, behaviour of connections must be determined. In this study, elastic rotation stiffness of semi-rigid bolted beam connections, applied in industrial precast structures, are determined by finite element methods. The results obtained from numerical solutions are compared with an experimental study carried out for the same connections. Furthermore, stress distributions of the connection zone are determined and a reinforcement scheme is proposed. Thus, a more appropriate reinforcement arrangement for the connection zone is enabled. The connection joint of the prefabricated frame is described as rigid, hinged or elastic, and a static analysis of the frame system is performed for each case. Values of bending moments and displacements obtained from the three solutions are compared and the effects of elastic connection are discussed.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.530-533
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• 2006

This thesis investigates the behavior of precast wall systems with a new vertical connection which are proportioned by the displacement based design. The proposed precast wall systems are supposed to provide additional spaces and seismic strengthening in remodeling existing residential buildings. For a fast remodeling constructions using PC walls require an efficient, economic fabrication method. A C-type vertical connections for PC wall systems is proposed for transfer of bending moment between walls in the vertical direction while a shear key in the center of wall is prepared to transfer shear forces by bearing. The proposed vertical connection allows us easy fabrication because of different direction of slots at the edges of wall. The dimension of C-type connection components are determined by engineering models and a series of test.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2006.03a
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• pp.217-224
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• 2006

This thesis investigates the behavior of precast wall systems with a new vertical connection which are proportioned by the displacement based design. The proposed precast wall systems are supposed to provide additional spaces and seismic strengthening in remodeling existing residential buildings. For a fast remodeling constructions using PC wails require an efficient, economic fabrication method. A C-type vertical connections for PC wall systems is proposed for transfer of bending moment between walls in the vertical direction while a shear key in the center of wall is prepared to transfer shear forces by bearing. The proposed vertical connection allows us easy fabrication because of different direction of slots at the edges of wall. The dimension of C-type connection components are determined by engineering models and a series of test.