Effect of Connection Detailing on Reverse Cyclic Behaviour of Precast Beam to Column Grouted Cementitious Billet Connections

In reinforced concrete framed structures exposed to high lateral loads, the performance of the beam to column joints has been acknowledged to have a significant impact on the overall behaviour of the structures. The present study conducted an experimental investigation on four 1/3rd scale Precast Concrete (PC) beam-to-column grouted cementitious billet connections subjected to reverse cyclic loading. Their performance was compared with a reference monolithic connection. The various precast connections studied are Billet with Dowel (BD) connection, Billet with Dowel-cleat Angle (BD-CL) connection, and Extended Billet with Dowel-cleat Angle (EBD-CL) connection. The ultimate load-carrying capacity, ductility factor, hysteretic behaviour, load ratio, energy dissipation, and stiffness degradation of the monolithic (MO) and precast (PC) specimens were studied, and a comparison of their performances was made. The results show that the EBD-CL connection has comparable ductility and strength.