Seismic response of precast concrete wall panels

Precast concrete structures are not widely used in severe seismic regions due the limited knowledge of the response of these systems to reversed cyclic loading. A series of four precast concrete wall panels were tested to evaluate their response to reversed cyclic loading. These units represent the wall panels of a typical single storey precast concrete structure. In order to achieve improved ductility and energy absorption characteristic, it was found that the horizontal sliding of the wall panel along the grout-wall interface must be controlled. Due to the reversed cyclic loading and the increased wall panel participation from limiting the horizontal sliding of the wall, it was determined that shear reinforcement of each precast specimen was separated into three separate component parts, joint rotation, wall panel deformations and horizontal wall panel sliding, to compare and evaluate the seismic performance of the wall panels