Nonlinear Seismic Response Analysis Of Multi-storey Precast Reinforced Concrete Frame Structure

As one of the commonly used form of architectural structures, precast concrete structure has remarkable advantages in different aspects, and has drawn more and more attention in engineering field. The function of the structural connections is to safely transfer forces between the various components meeting at the joint. The traditional analysis and design methods are based on the assumption that beam-to-column connection is either totally fixed or ideally pinned. However, in real structures a large number of connections which are assumed to be pinned are partially restrained. It is necessary to incorporate the effect of connection ductility in the frame analysis in order to represent the actual behavior of the structure.The seismic behavior of the precast reinforced concrete frame structure is studied by shaking table test method. A 1/5 reduced scale three-story two-bay frame structure was designed and constructed, and a series of shake table tests were performed with different earthquake waves and different peak values. The test results indicated that the model structure withstood minor earthquake shaking without damage, moderate levels of shaking with only non-structural damage and severe shaking without collapse and a threat to life safety. Some suggestions are presented for the design of the precast concrete structure.Nonlinear time-history analysis is also performed in this research by using the analysis software-ANSYS10.0. The nonlinear moment-rotation relationship of the joint is represented by a four parameters Richard model. The joints are simulated by element Combin39, beams and columns by element BEAM188 and floor by element SHELL63. The simulate results show that the finite element model has good performance. The dynamic characteristics of the model structure, peak acceleration and peak displacement under minor, moderate earthquake with intensity of 7.0 were in accordance with the test results. However, a more accurate nonlinear model is needed for numerical simulation under severe earthquake.In the finality, the problems requiring further studied are discussed.