The influence of claddings on the seismic response of precast structures: the SAFECLADDING project

The current design practice of precast buildings is based on a frame model where the peripheral cladding panels enter only as masses without any stiffness. The panels are then connected to the structure with fastenings dimensioned with a local calculation on the base of their mass for anchorage forces orthogonal to the plane of the panels. This design approach does not work, as it was dramatically shown by several recent earthquakes, like L’Aquila in 2009, Grenada in 2011 and Emilia in 2012. New technological solutions for connectors with proper design approaches are therefore urgently required. All those aspects are being investigated, by means of a balanced combination of experimental and analytical activity, within the research project SAFECLADDING. This research has received funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme managed by REA-Research Executive Agency: http://ec.europa.eu/research/rea (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement n° FP7- SME-2012-314122 "SAFECLADDING. The main contribution of this Research Project is to propose design solutions able to improve the safety of the people living or working in precast building structures in case of hazardous natural events such as earthquakes. The outcomes of the research are also meant to be directly reflected into normative documents, like EC8.JRC.G.4-European laboratory for structural assessmen