A novel precast concrete beam-to-column connection with replaceable energy-dissipation connector: Experimental investigation and theoretical analysis

To avoid the damage of the connection due to the overstrength of beam strength, and the alternation of the strength hierarchy in the structural system, a novel precast concrete beam-to-column connection is proposed herein. In the proposed connection, a novel replaceable energy-dissipation connector (REDC) was placed at the bottom of a hidden corbel. In addition, a narrow vertical slot was placed adjacent to the hidden corbel to reduce the beam overstrength. First, the structural features and mechanical mechanism of the proposed novel precast connection were discussed. Second, three low-cycle quasi-static loading tests were carried out on a single full-scaled specimen by using three REDCs of different sizes. The test results showed that the seismic performance of this novel precast connection was excellent and that the additional bending moment caused by beam overstrength in the novel precast connection was significantly lower than that of a conventional connection. Third, three finite element models were developed to further analyze how to reduce the additional bending moment and to always keep the top reinforcements in the elastic range. Finally, relevant design suggestions were provided. The additional bending moment of the novel precast connection designed according to the proposed formulas can be minimized. In view of this, the bending moments of the novel connection can be regarded as a controllable variable.