Experimental and Numerical Studies on Shear and Tensile Behavior of Horizontal Connecting Joints for Improved Precast Concrete Bearing Wall Structure

An improved precast bearing wall structure was proposed, with light weight gauge steel members embedded in the wall, forming full length hole for dowels passing through, which can provide higher speed and lower cost construction method, especially for low rise buildings. The shear and tensile behavior of the horizontal joints for the novel precast bearing wall structure were studied through experimental and numerical investigation in this paper. Three identical specimens for horizontal joints shear and tensile tests separately were tested. The shear test specimens were designed from the wall-slab-wall connection part while the tensile test specimens were designed from the wall-foundation connection part. The whole experimental process from crack generation to joints failure was investigated in detail and the load-displacement curves were provided and analysed. Based on experimental results, the finite element models of both type specimens are verified and calibrated using ABAQUS. The shear and tensile failure mechanism of horizontal joints is presented and the recommendations to increasing the horizontal joints strength capacity and ductile performance are proposed, which may provide practical guidance for future engineering practice.