Seismic performance assessment of precast element connections

In many typical R.C. applications, the reinforcing bars along certain alignments must be maintained continuous. Such continuity is usually obtained through overlapping arrangements and suitable end bents of the bars. In the more critical contests, like in the case of buildings in seismic areas, more reliable continuity solutions are required. The same holds for blast scenarios. To this purpose a new type of coupling device assuring the bar continuity has been recently proposed. This device is made of a steel external shell, which encloses a certain volume around the bars to be connected. The interstitial volume is filled by VHS Concrete which embeds the bar and assures the continuity with the steel envelope. To assess the efficiency of this new device, many experimental tests were performed. In particular, it was analyzed the behavior under cyclic loading of columns having different height connected to the foundation structure by these continuity devices and the behavior of a beam-column junction. This paper presents the analysis for the investigations of the behavior of a precast column having section 0.5 x 0.5 meters and 5 meters high. Both experimental and numerical results are presented with particular attention to the definition of the numerical model.