Experimental investigation of a precast concrete connection with all-steel bamboo-shaped energy dissipaters

•A precast concrete connection with bamboo-shaped energy dissipater was proposed.•The precast connection exhibited good seismic behavior and self-centering ability.•Strength and energy dissipation of precast connection varied with prestressed force and energy dissipaters.•The precast connection sustained good seismic behavior after a repeated loading.•No failure but the end bending of the energy dissipater was observed. To develop a precast concrete frame suitable for high seismic zones, a new precast concrete beam-column connection with an additional all-steel bamboo-shaped energy dissipater is proposed in this paper. The energy dissipation of the precast concrete connection was provided from additional energy dissipaters, and the self-centering connection was achieved by application of post-tensioned tendons. Five tests on precast concrete connections subjected to simulated seismic loading were conducted. The effects of the initial prestressed force, the geometric parameters of the bamboo-shaped energy dissipaters and the number and configuration of the bamboo-shaped energy dissipaters on the seismic performance of the precast concrete connection were evaluated based on the connection strength, the equivalent viscous damping and the self-centering capabilities. The influence of repeated loading on the seismic performance of the precast concrete connection was investigated, and the reuse of the precast components and reliability of the proposed anchorage measures were evaluated. The test results showed that the proposed precast connection had a stable hysteretic behavior, excellent self-centering capabilities and no loss of strength during the tests. The end bending of the energy dissipater, observed in tests, was also discussed.