Experimental estimation of seismic properties of new precast shear wall spatial structure model

•The NPGSC is reliable but two new weak sections exist at steel bar overlapping ends.•Joint interface slips of precast shear walls affect crack distribution.•Although the ductility of NPGCS spatial model is low, the seismic properties are favourable due to the high strengths.•Precast shear walls contribute most of the seismic energy consumption value but not connecting beams. Effective seismic properties are a basic requirement in precast shear wall applications. Therefore, this study focuses on the evaluation and improvement of precast shear wall seismic properties using the new pore-forming grouted connector with welded closure confinement steels (NPGCS) developed in previous research. The NPGCS connector reliability was verified and the seismic properties of the NPGCS spatial structure model were evaluated by carrying out a low cyclic reversed lateral loads experimental test on the NPGCS precast shear wall spatial structure model containing superposed connecting beams and precast shear walls, which were selected from a practical high-rise precast residential building. According to the testing results of the crack distribution and component failure modes, the superposed connecting beam properties were weak, and damaged early in the shear failure mode, while the precast shear walls cracked after the steel bars in the superposed connecting beams yielded. Furthermore, the failure mode indicated that the NPGCS connection applied in this spatial model is reliable, while two new weak sections were proven to exist at the connector ends. Together with the precast joint interface slip, the dowel shear action is demonstrated to be harmful to the joint interface properties. Additional seismic parameters, namely capacity, ductility, stiffness and energy consumption, were used to complete the evaluation of the seismic properties of the NPGCS spatial structure model. Overall, although the NPGCS spatial model ductility is low, the strengths are high, leading to continued effective energy consumption properties, which indicates favourable seismic properties of the NPGCS spatial structural model.