Experimental study of a new beam-to-column connection for precast concrete frames under reversal cyclic loading

A new beam-to-column connection developed for precast concrete-resisting frames was proposed in this article. This connection provided adequate structural integrity in the connections and could be constructed easily and rapidly by eliminating the need for welding, bolting, and post-tensioning, and it also avoided reinforcement congestion or obstruction in connection regions. Five full-scale beam-to-column connections, including a monolithic specimen, were tested under reversal cyclic loading. One precast specimen was manufactured following all the proposed details. For comparison purpose, the other precast specimens were made without one or two structural details like additional bars and making a certain length of the two bottom deformed bars debonded near the end of U-shaped hollow in a precast beam. After analysis on the hysteretic behavior, strength, deformability, stiffness, and energy dissipation, it was showed that the proposed connection exhibited good seismic resistance, thus could be used in seismic regions. Furthermore, the existence of additional bars showed more necessity in such a system than the detail of making a certain length of the two bottom deformed bars debonded. Finally, a theoretical analysis curve was proposed.