Experimental and Nonlinear Numerical Analysis of Precast Concrete Column Splices with High-Yield Metal Plates

Abstract

The aim of this study was to present the use of detachable laminated high-yield metal plates for precast concrete column splices. The structural behavior of precast concrete column connections with detachable high-yield-strength (650-MPa) plates with 1,000-MPa high-strength bolts was performed experimentally and numerically. A nonlinear numerical model based on concrete damaged plasticity was developed to evaluate the structural performance of the novel joint for precast concrete columns with fully restrained and partially restrained moment connections. The behavior of the proposed joint obtained numerically was in good agreement with the full-scale test data, offering accurate prediction of stresses and strains for the design of the mechanical column connections. Finally, the real-world behavior including strain evolution of the mechanical joints was understood by the strains of microscopic level obtained via the proposed numerical model. This study is expected to contribute to promoting the use of plates with high-yield strength, which possess the merits of bolted column-to-column splices, to implement mechanical joints in precast concrete assembly similar to how steel frames are assembled.