Influence of horizontal cladding wall panels in industrial precast RC buildings using a simplified macro-model

Recent earthquakes have highlighted the primary vulnerabilities of buildings constructed with precast reinforced concrete elements, particularly issues related to the connections of cladding panels, which have often led to the collapse of these components. In current design practices for precast reinforced concrete industrial buildings, the contribution of cladding panels is typically neglected, as they are assumed to have no significant influence on the building’s seismic performance. However, several studies have indicated that cladding panels can play a crucial role in the seismic response of a structure. Consequently, there is growing interest in improving how the contributions of these elements are accounted for in structural models. This study addresses this need by proposing two simplified numerical modelling strategies tailored for precast structures. These strategies aim to capture the contribution of conventional cladding systems, along with their associated panels and connections, to the overall structural performance during seismic events.