Cyclic Lateral Loading Behavior of Thin-Shell Precast Concrete Wall Panels

Sevil Yaman, Tuğçe

Two precast concrete thin-shell wall panels were subjected to reverse-cyclic lateral loads to simulate wind fatigue over a 50-year design lifetime prior to loading to failure. The panels consisted of an outer wythe of concrete connected to light gauge steel framing. Wire mesh was used to reinforce the concrete panel skin. Rivets provided a connection between the steel studs and the concrete panel. Two reinforced concrete (R/C) beams were integrated into the top and bottom of the panel, isolated from the concrete face by a thin layer of extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam insulation. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) grid was used to connect these beams with the concrete face through the rigid foam insulation. The objective of the testing program was to characterize the behavior of the concrete and steel framing panel, with particular attention focused on the connections between the various structural elements of the panel. The first and second thin-shell panels survived the fatigue loading cycles and behaved elastically through failure level lateral load cycles equivalent to 54 psf (2.6 kPa) and 66 psf (3.2 kPa) of applied uniform load, respectively. For both specimens, the failure mode was separation of the top R/C beam from the concrete panel on the pull stroke of the loading ...