Accurate equivalent analysis models and performance evaluation of precast concrete shear walls

Precast concrete shear walls with horizontal steel connections (PCSWHs) were proposed and experimentally studied. To improve the design and analysis efficiency of the PCSWHs with adequate accuracy and reliability, the constitutive models of the connections joints and precast shear wall modules were established using theoretical derivation, and accurate equivalent analysis (AEA) models of the PCSWHs were developed. Furthermore, performance evaluation of three-story and three-span precast frame-shear wall structures with four types of shear walls, including the CAST model (cast-in-situ shear walls), PRE-H model (PCSWHs were adopted), PRE-HVR model (precast concrete shear walls having “strong horizontal and weak vertical” connections, which abbreviated as PCSWHVs, were adopted, and frame beam was connected), and PRE-HVS model (PCSWHVs were adopted, and frame beam can slide freely), was carried out based on the AEA models. Results show that the interaction between the stud of the steel connector and concrete can be simplified as a four-point skeleton curve. The AEA models of the PCSWHs were validated. PCSWHVs can significantly reduce the shear force in the deep beams around the shear walls, and it effectively avoids the undesirable brittle shear failure of deep beams. Compared with the CAST model, the maximum decrease rate of shear force in the deep beams of the PRE-HVS models is 34.56 %. PCSWHVs can fully utilize the plastic energy dissipation of steel shear keys (SSKs). The SSKs in the PRE-HVR and PRE-HVS models enter a plastic yield state under rare earthquakes, and the latter develops greater hysteretic energy dissipation than the former.