Experimental study and associated numerical simulation of horizontally connected precast shear wall assembly

This paper is concerned about precast reinforced concrete shear walls and the methods of assembling shear wall panels to form a reliable load transfer system. An assembling method is proposed using dry connection through a horizontal steel connector (H-connector) and high-strength bolts. To investigate the effectiveness and the design of such a connection method, three wall-connector assembly specimens with different connection details have been constructed and tested under monotonic loading while subjected to a constant vertical compression. The test results provided comprehensive data regarding the progressive transition of the load transfer mechanisms and showed that the performance of the shear wall assembly was generally satisfactory in terms of ensuring the full development of the shear wall strength and ductility. To assist in the interpretation of the experimental results and enable further parametric analysis, a detailed finite element model has been developed with incorporation of the main load transfer mechanisms, in addition to the description of the nonlinear behavior of the shear wall. The finite element model has been verified to represent well the actual behavior of the shear wall assembly, and it has provided further insight into the occurrence of slippage at the connection, the development of the bearing resistance of the bolts and the compression load transfer through contact in the later stage of the response. Copyright (C) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.