Seismic performance comparison between precast beam joints and cast-in-place beam joints

Precast reinforced concrete structures are widely used due to many constructional advantages such as faster construction speed, lower construction cost, being environmentally friendly, higher strength, and so on. To study the seismic performance of precast reinforced concrete structures, tests on beam-to-column joints of precast reinforced concrete structures were conducted under low reversed cyclic loading. In total, four joint specimens were produced in this study, including two precast joints and two cast-in-place joints. In addition to the comparison between different types of joints, the axial compression ratio of column was adopted as the main variable in this study. Analysis was carried out on the basis of the observed joint failure mode and relationships derived from the test data such as hysteresis curves, skeleton curves, stiffness degradation curves, energy dissipation capacities, and sleeve joint strain curves. Despite the closeness of energy dissipation capacity between the precast joints and the cast-in-place joints, they had different failure modes. Precast joints feature a relatively concentrated crack distribution in which the limited number of cracks was distributed throughout the plastic zone of the beam. Cast-in-place joints feature more evenly distributed cracks in the plastic zone, especially at the later stage of the loading. The steel slippage of the precast concrete joints was found influenced by the axial compression ratio. Through this study, it is concluded that seismic resistance capacity of precast concrete joint needs to be considered in design and construction and the grouting sleeve splice could be kept away from the hinge zones when precast concrete structures were used in regions of high seismicity. The results in this study can provide a theoretical basis for seismic design of precast reinforced concrete structures, which in turn can promote the application of precast reinforced concrete structures.