Flexural Behavior of Precast Lightweight Concrete Shear Walls

The objective of this study is to examine the effect of different wall-to-base connections on the flexural performance of precast all-lightweight aggregate concrete (ALWAC) shear walls. The wall-to-base connection techniques considered the practical construction joint and seismic resistance of precast shear walls by using the conventional spliced sleeve, one-touch coupler, welded steel plate, and bolted steel plate approaches. The precast shear walls were tested under constant axial loads and cyclic lateral loads. The backbone curves determined from the lateral load-displacement relationship of the precast shear walls are compared with the predictions using the two-dimensional (2-D) nonlinear laminar approach procedure under the assumption that the connections are performed as a perfectly rigid joint. The displacement ductility ratios ofthe precast shear walls were also compared with the predictions calculated from the design equations proposed for conventional monolithic shear walls. The precast shear wall connected by the one-touch coupler technique exhibited poor flexural performance with lower moment capacity and flexural ductility than the other wall specimens. Meanwhile, the precast shear walls with the welded steel plate or bolted steel plate connection displayed very close flexural performance to the conventional monolithic shear wall, although their displacement ductility ratio and work damage indicator were slightly lower than those of the conventional monolithic shear wall. Consequently, the lateral load-displacement backbone curves of the precast shear walls with the welded steel plate or bolted steel plate connection are in good agreement with the predictions.