In-Plane and Biaxial Performance of Seismic Precast Hollow Core Wall with Different Types of Energy Dissipators

Two geometrically identical seismic precast hollow core walls with foundation beams were constructed and tested under in–plane, out of plane and biaxial loading on shaking table. Both of the walls were steel–armoured at bottom with steel channel and allowed to rock on steel plate located on top of foundation beams. Wall 1 was designed with fixed location of unbonded tendons and a pair of bonded fuse–bar was inserted into the foundation beam. Wall 2 was designed with some flexibility of locations, cross–sectional areas, initial prestressing of unbonded tendons and fuse–bars. Four different combinations of unbonded tendons, unbonded fuse–bars and mechanical energy dissipators were tested using Wall 2. The experimental results showed that Wall 2 performed better than Wall 1 under different load paths without any damage and residual drift. The stiffness of the wall is significantly influenced by the level of initial prestressing, location and cross–sectional area of energy dissipators and unbonded tendons. Fuse–bar with 50% initial prestressing force is recommended because it works efficiently under reverse cyclic loading whereby buckling and plastic hinge zone can be prevented