Analytical Investigation of the Flexural Capacity of Precast Concrete Frames with Hybrid Joints

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate flexural strength based on the inelastic neutral axis calculated from all stress states of the proposed precast composite columns with hybrid beam-column joints, which facilitate the erection of concrete precast frames in a similar manner to that used for steel frames. It was also shown analytically that hybrid joints with headed studs contribute significantly to the flexural moment capacity and effectively increase the flexural structural performance of precast composite columns. The strain compatibility-based analytical results were compared with test data, showing results with an error of less than 8% at the critical section for the maximum load limit state of specimens. It is observed that the strength contributed by steel sections and headed studs increased by 30% and 35% at the yield limit state and maximum load limit, respectively, reducing the dependence on rebars. The total contribution of the headed studs was as large as 12.2% (average of the two layers of headed studs) at the maximum load limit state, whereas the strength provided by the tensile rebars decreased from 90.5% to 63.9% for the specimen with headed studs at the maximum load limit state.