article · Structures
Precast concrete slender columns are widely used in building construction, but intermediate connection performance using high-performance concrete has lacked thorough investigation. This research investigates nineteen circular precast concrete slender columns subjected to concentric compressive loading until collapse, alongside three-dimensional finite element computer modelling. Connections were infilled with either engineering cementitious composites or strain hardening cementitious composites. Tests evaluated variations in longitudinal reinforcement ratios and steel bar embedment lengths. The findings demonstrate that higher reinforcement ratios and longer embedment lengths enhance both cracking and ultimate load capacities. Infilling intermediate connections with engineering cementitious composites or strain hardening cementitious composites increased elastic stiffness by 150 percent and 93 percent, respectively, compared to control specimens. Furthermore, energy absorption capacity increased by 107 percent with engineering cementitious composites and 138 percent with strain hardening cementitious composites.
Precast concrete elements offer rapid construction, but intermediate joints connecting slender columns can represent points of structural vulnerability. Showing that high-performance cementitious composites significantly enhance column stiffness, load resistance, and energy absorption provides structural engineers with verified technical data to design safer, more resilient multi-storey precast concrete structures under compressive loads.
This applied and tested laboratory research is relevant to precast concrete manufacturers, structural engineering consultants, and commercial builders seeking enhanced connection designs. The findings and validated numerical models provide a direct design basis for column splices, though the approach appears to be at an applied research stage that still requires field trials and construction code incorporation before broad commercial adoption.
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Precast concrete (PC) slender columns with intermediate connections are often used in building construction. However, no studies have been performed on the behavior of PC slender columns with intermediate connections filled with high-performance concrete namely engineering cementitious composites (ECC) and strain hardening cementitious composites (SHCC). This paper presents the testing and computer modeling of axially loaded PC slender columns with splices filled with ECC and SHCC. Experimental program and results are presented on nineteen PC slender columns under concentric compressive load up to collapse. The test parameters include the longitudinal reinforcement (µ) ratio, and embedded length of steel bars/infilled concrete connection (Le). Three different reinforcement ratios of 0.027, 0.031, and 0.036 are considered. The embedded length of steel bars/intermediate concrete connection varies from 15D, 22.5D, and 30D where D is the bar diameter. Experimental results indicate that the use of longer steel bars/intermediate concrete connection and a higher reinforcement ratio can significantly enhance both the cracking and ultimate loads of PC slender columns with an intermediate concrete connection. The elastic stiffness of the PC slender columns with ECC and SHCC connection is found to increase by 150% and 93%, respectively when compared to the control specimen. Similarly, filling the splice of the PC columns with ECC and SHCC improves the energy absorption capacity by 107% and 138%, respectively. Nonlinear three-dimensional finite element models (FEMs) are developed accounting for the initial imperfection of the slender columns and their accuracy is validated by experimental results. It is shown that the FEM can provide an accurate simulation of the performance of PC columns with splice connection.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.istruc.2023.105204
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