The paper investigates the in-plane performance of horizontal precast reinforced concrete (RC) cladding panels, typically adopted in one-storey precast industrial and commercial buildings.Starting from in-field observations of cladding panels failures in recent earthquakes, the seismic performance of typical connections is evaluated by means of experimental tests on full-scale panels under quasi-static cyclic loading. The failure mechanisms highlight the vulnerability of such connections to relative displacements and, therefore, the need to accurately evaluate the connections displacement demand and capacity.An analytical model is developed to describe the force-displacement relationship of the considered connections and compared to the experimental results. In order to determine the seismic vulnerability of such connections and provide design recommendations, linear and nonlinear analyses are conducted taking as reference a precast concrete structure resembling an industrial precast building. The results of the analyses show the importance of a correct estimation of the column's lateral stiffness in the design process and how an improper erection procedure leads to a premature failure of such connections.

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Abstract. Rocking walls represent an emerging solution for lateral force resisting systems in low to

The seismic vulnerability of precast reinforced concrete buildings is often governed by the performance of mechanical connections between precast elements. This aspect was highlighted by recent seismic events in Italy, where several collapses were registered among industrial buildings typical of Italian practice. The building damage was related to failure of connections between beams and columns and between beams and roof elements, which led to the loss of support of the structural elements. Starting from the results of an experimental campaign, the present work investigates the use of ductile connections between precast beams and roof elements suitable for both new structures and as a retrofit measure of existing ones. These connections are able to transfer the horizontal inertial loads and to accommodate deformations arising from seismic displacement compatibility. The relative rotation between the end of the roof elements and the beam, owing to seismic displacement demand, could lead to their contact. This leads to a load increase in rigid connections, which can cause their premature failure, or to horizontal relative displacements as in the ductile connections considered herein. Moreover, the connections investigated could be used to dissipate seismic energy.

The paper develops a methodology for the seismic vulnerability assessment, Displacement Based Assessment (DBA), of one-storey and multi-storey precast concrete frames with nonemulative connections. The method is based on the Direct Displacement Based Design procedure initially developed by Priestley. The DBA is particularly suitable for the evaluation of the seismic response of flexible structures, as it considers displacements as the leading parameters to estimate the seismic vulnerability. The proposed procedure specifically accounts for the influence of beam-column connections, P-∆ effects and second mode of vibration. The validation has been performed by means of nonlinear time history analyses.

During an earthquake, P-D effects could significantly increase the horizontal displacements in a structure; hence, they should be duly accounted for in seismic assessment procedures. Considering the displacement based assessment (DBA) procedure, P-D effects influence the single degree of freedom substitute structure adopted in the procedure both in terms of sheardisplacement relationship and of equivalent viscous damping. The present technical note considers a novel framework to include P-D effects in the DBA procedure. The application of the proposed procedure is illustrated considering the Takeda hysteresis model commonly adopted for reinforced concrete structures.

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