Precast concrete spreader‐walls to improve the reparability of RC frame buildings

Recent earthquakes have demonstrated that reinforced concrete (RC) frames, which form a beam‐sway mechanism, sustain damage to beams and floors that can be particularly difficult and costly to repair. This paper proposes a new structural system, which combines RC frames with precast concrete spreader‐walls. The spreader‐walls are fixed to frames with connections that allow them to pivot and are carefully arranged so that they distribute seismic deformation demands over the building height. This in turn allows the designer to force plastic hinges to occur at column ends without the risk of a soft‐story mechanism forming and without costly damage to beams and floors. Nonlinear time history analyses of two sets of 4‐, 8‐, and 12‐story buildings are conducted with and without the spreader‐walls. The analyses show that the system behaves as intended and has the potential to enhance the reparability of RC frame structures. To this end, experimental research is recommended to ensure that the proposed connection details behave as desired prior to their implementation in practice.