BEHAVIOUR OF PRECAST BEAM-COLUMN MECHANICAL CONNECTIONS UNDER CYCLIC LOADING

The present work focuses on comparing the performance of precast and monolithic beam- column joints subjected to cyclic loading. Experiments were conducted on 1/3 scale models of two types of precast beam-column connections and a monolithic connection. The precast connections considered are the beam-column connections in which beam is connected to column with corbel using (i) J-bolt and (ii) cleat angle. The specimens were subjected to reverse cyclic loading. The experimental results of the precast specimens were compared with those of the monolithic connection. Axial load was applied to the column using 400kN capacity actuator. The cyclic loading is applied in the beam using another two actuators, one for positive load cycle and the other for the negative load cycle. The hysteresis behaviour, load carrying capacity, energy dissipation capacity and ductility factor were measured and the performance for the precast and monolithic beam-column connections were compared.