A novel multi-dimensional viscoelastic mitigation device: Shake table tests and numerical assessment of precast concrete sandwich wall panel structure

Precast concrete wall systems with bolt connections, for instance the precast concrete sandwich wall panel structure (PCSWPS), aim at saving installation time, energy consumption and construction cost, meanwhile facing limitations including narrow applicability and insufficient structural integrity due to the potential sliding of connections and damage to thin concrete layers. This study presents a novel multi-dimensional viscoelastic mitigation device (MDVMD) developed to improve the seismic performance of precast concrete wall systems, which adopts a durable compression energy dissipation mechanism and operates in both horizontal and vertical action modes. The full-scale shake table tests are conducted on a one-bay two-story PCSWPS with and without MDVMDs. The test results demonstrate that the MDVMDs effectively mitigate peak floor acceleration responses by 10 %-30 % horizontally and 30 %-50 % vertically, as well as peak inter-story drift by 30 %-50 % under maximum considered earthquakes. A simplified numerical analysis method is proposed to replicate dynamic responses, based on which a seismic fragility analysis is performed to further evaluate the effect of MDVMDs. Both shake table tests and numerical assessment indicate the damage level of PCSWPS with MDVMDs is lower than that without MDVMDs, exhibiting minimal damage and sliding, and confirms that the addition of MDVMDs is a feasible scheme to improve seismic protection of precast concrete wall systems.