Experimental Study of the Seismic Performance of Concrete Beam-Column Frame Joints with DfD Connections

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental study to investigate the seismic performance of concrete beam-column joints with Design for Deconstruction (DfD) connections, which are characterized by two reusable beams and one precast column. The mortise-tenon connection from timber structures was adopted in the design for a moment-resisting purpose. Seven full-scale joints were tested according to a two-series cyclic loading test program to evaluate the seismic performance of frame joints before deconstruction and after reconstruction. It was found that the cracking patterns of joints with DfD connections were different from those of monolithic joints, and no remarkable difference in failure pattern was observed. The test results also revealed that the proposed concrete frame joint with DfD connections had a favorable seismic performance, though a smaller displacement ductility. Furthermore, the use of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) was found to be acceptable in DfD structures. The disassembility and assembility of the proposed frame joint were also verified during the construction process.