Experimental study and numerical analysis of the seismic behavior of precast concrete shear walls with mortise–tenon joints

Abstract In order to study the influence of the mortise–tenon construction on the mechanical properties of the precast concrete shear walls with mortise–tenon joints (MTJ), three precast concrete shear walls and one cast‐in‐place concrete shear wall were fabricated and employed in displacement‐controlled pseudo‐static tests, and the numerical analysis models were systematically constructed. The mechanical behavior of precast concrete shear walls and the effect of mortise–tenon construction on the seismic performance were comprehensively explored and rigorously analyzed. The results vividly demonstrated that the MTJ exhibited rational force‐bearing mechanisms and remarkable reliability. This effectively ensured that the precast concrete shear wall could achieve an equivalent performance state to that of a cast‐in‐place concrete shear wall. After the peak load, vertical cracks conspicuously emerged along the vertical section at the bottom of the transverse groove. This phenomenon engendered a diminution in the concrete crushing area at the roots on both sides of the shear wall. Consequently, the deformation capacity and energy dissipation capacity of the shear wall were notably enhanced. It was determined that an anchorage length of 15d for the closed connection rebar within the MTJ was sufficient and suitable to meet and satisfy the force requirements and demands imposed on the precast concrete shear walls. Additionally, an increase in the quantity of horizontal reinforcement could effectively improve and augment the mechanical performance and behavioral characteristics of the precast concrete shear wall. However, alterations to the connection configuration and the quantity of longitudinal reinforcement exerted no discernible impact on the mechanical performance of these precast concrete shear walls. Conversely, an increase in the cross‐sectional area of the longitudinal hole led to a weakening of the bearing capacity, stiffness, and energy dissipation capacity of the precast concrete shear walls.