Experimental investigation of "dry" jointed precast concrete frame sub-assemblies with steel angle and tube connections

Full details of steel angle and tube beam-column connections developed for a "dry" jointed precast concrete frame building whose nonlinear structural performance is aimed to be comparable to that of a cast-in situ/monolithic concrete frame building are reported. Hysteretic behaviour of the frame sub-assemblies with different angle/tube connection configurations is experimentally investigated in this paper whereas the numerical and analytical simulation results are reported in a companion submission. Structural performance of the tested frame sub-assemblies is evaluated by studying the nonlinear cyclic plots and the observed damage states in the connection region. Design parameters influencing the strength and stiffness of the tested frame sub-assemblies are identified by comparing the measured slips and load-displacement envelopes. The moment versus rotation response of the tested connections is classified according to the Eurocode specifications and the beam line method. The erection and dismantling processes of a precast concrete frame with the proposed angle/tube beam-column connection are also explained in brief. Feasibility of replacing a damaged beam with a new beam of the same (or higher) capacity and achieving the same (or better) performance compared to the initially tested frame sub-assembly is also evaluated. Based on the obtained evidences, it can be concluded that a jointed precast concrete frame with the proposed angle/tube beam-column connections can emulate a wet-jointed concrete frame only in certain aspects such as initial lateral stiffness and nominal lateral strength but not the energy dissipation, strength and stiffness degradation, and ductility.