Seismic Performance of Precast Concrete Frame with Innovative Assembly Pattern.

A novel precast concrete (PC) frame with an innovative assembly pattern and optimised connection locations was proposed and evaluated. The PC column components were connected by extrusion sleeves and/or U-type reinforcement ferrules to realise cost-effective, efficient, and reliable assembly. Quasi-static cyclic loading tests and finite element analyses were conducted on a cast-in-place (CIP) frame and three PC frames with different connection types. The PC frames exhibited higher lateral stiffness and load bearing capacities than the CIP frame, as well as similar energy dissipation capacities. The PC frames employing the extrusion sleeve connections in the beam exhibited the best seismic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]