Seismic performance analysis of prefabricated assembled ECC energy dissipation wall-RC frame structure

Engineered cementitious composites (ECC), known for their strain-hardening behavior and multicracking characteristics, were ideal materials for energy dissipation. An energy dissipation wall (EDW) constructed from ECC materials and assembled into reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures formed a novel type of prefabricated ECC-EDW-RC frame structure. In this study, ECCEDW-RC frame specimens were designed, and the damage modes, hysteretic behavior, loadbearing capacity, and stiffness degradation were analyzed through low-cycle reciprocating loading tests, considering various influencing factors. Based on these findings, a refined finite element model for the prefabricated assembled ECC-EDW-RC frame was developed and validated the test results. The research demonstrated that the ECC-EDW and RC frames exhibited excellent synergistic performance, significantly enhancing the bearing capacity, lateral stiffness, and energy dissipation capacity of the RC frame. Furthermore, when the inter-story displacement angle reached 5.2 % (for EDWF-1) and 4.9 % (for EDWF-2), the ECC-EDW could still resist substantial horizontal shear forces while maintaining its energy dissipation capacity. These results further clarified the internal force distribution within the prefabricated ECC-EDW-RC frame specimen.