SAFECLADDING Project: Pseudodynamic Testing on Precast Structures with Horizontal Cladding Panels

Past seismic events have clearly demonstrated the seismic vulnerability of precast buildings designed with an inadequate approach. The frame to panels interaction, indeed, modifying the response of buildings subjected to seismic action, highlights structural deficiencies. If the behaviour of the whole structure is changed by an increase in stiffness and strength that is provided by the well-connected cladding panels, negative effects could also have encountered, because of the triggering of brittle collapses, both local and global. Current design approaches have largely ignored the influence of cladding panels, assuming that these panels are non-structural elements when compared with the frame. The design practice of neglecting the panels during the formulation of the mathematical model leads to substantial inaccuracy in predicting the seismic stiffness, strength and ductility. Furthermore, Precast Reinforced-Concrete structures designed and constructed before the development of actual seismic code constitute an important part of the high-risk structure in Italy and in a different country of the Southern Europe. The study presented herein is focused on the connection used in the SAFECLADDING Project, to fasten horizontal panels to columns. The experimental programme foresees two different setups arrangements with nine tests of the cladding-to-column connections. The programme was concluded with four tests on the mock-up without any panels. The paper focuses on the results obtained with the horizontal-panels arrangement and the comparison with the bare frame, which is the reference for the current design practice that considers panels as non-structural elements.JRC.E.4-Safety and Security of Building