Seismic performance analysis of steel frame installed with prefabricated external walls and new connection type

In order to solve the problems existing in prefabricated structure installed with non-structural elements, this paper proposes a new structure type, which is the steel frame installed with prefabricated external wall. Besides, a new connection method is also proposed and designed for this innovative structure type. Based on a specific engineering project, the full-scale pseudo-static cyclic loading test of the steel frame installed with prefabricated external wall (reinforced concrete) is conducted for analyzing the seismic performance of this structural system, which examines the ability of prefabricated external wall to adapt to the deformation of the main structure, the working performance of connection, the damage pattern of the whole structure and the influence of prefabricated wall on the load bearing capacity and stiffness of the main structure. The corresponding numerical simulation by ABAQUS is employed for further investigating the performance of prefabricated external wall and newly proposed connection methods. On the basis of verification about the accuracy of numerical model, the FEA (finite element analysis) models of the detail connection joints with different parameters are established, and the damage distribution, hysteresis curve, skeleton curve and stress distribution are analyzed and compared to explore the influence of the pre-tension force of bolts and thickness of steel plates on the seismic performance of the connections.