Precast Concrete Buildings in Seismic Areas

06a-Fertigteile_146-173_en_Layout 1 02.11.
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PRECAST CONCRETE ELEMENTS
Practical aspects
Precast concrete buildings in seismic areas

This report provides a short summary of work done by Task Group 6.10 of fib Commission 6 (Prefabrication) in collaboration with PCI. A more
extended report on the work will be available in a joint fib/PCI publication that is expected to be issued by the end of 2015. It has been devel-
oped by selected experts from around the world and therefore combines a variety of precast experiences, design philosophies and con-
struction techniques. The Task Group was convened by S.Tsoukantas. S.K.Ghosh, serving as liaison between fib Commission 6 and PCI,
together with other distinguished PCI members and members of fib T.G. 6.10, ensured consideration, throughout the document, of U.S. design
and construction practice for precast concrete structures. The general overview contained in the fib/PCI document intends to provide engi-
neers, architects, clients, and end-users with a better appreciation of the wide range of applications that modern precast concrete technol-
ogy is capable of in various types of construction from industrial to commercial as well as residential. Lastly, the emphasis on practical
aspects, from conceptual design to connection detailing, aims to help engineers move away from blindly following prescriptive codes in their
design to basic principles, in order to achieve a more robust understanding, and thus control, of the seismic behavior of the structural
system as a whole, as well as its components and individual connections.
Spyros Tsoukantas, Athens, Greece prior to any analysis being carried out, so micity. However they may also be integrat-
Satyendra K. Ghosh, Palatine, USA as to minimize uncertainties related to the ed as gravity dominated systems in build-
seismic response of the structure. ings where the lateral loads are principally
Basic Principles of Earthquake carried by fixed-connection frames, or by
Resistant Design Structural simplicity, vertical uniformity lateral force-resisting systems of other types,
regularity, bi-directional and torsional resist- such as shear walls or dual systems (com-
In this chapter, the main principles and phi- ance together with proper stiffness and bining walls and frames).
losophy of seismic design are briefly re- adequacy of foundations, should govern Emphasis is given on the behaviour of
viewed with reference to performance re- the architectural structural concept for hinged beam-to-column connections (see
quirements, seismic actions, design concept any structure subject to seismic excitations. fig. 1 and fig. 2) in seismic situations, based
etc., with emphasis on precasting and rele- on most recent experimental and theoreti-
vant ductility properties of precast frame Precast Frame Systems cal research.
structures.
Reference is made to the different types of Precast Frames with Moment-Resisting
Basic Principles of Conceptual Design precast frame systems and guidance is pro- Connections (FCF)
vided to the selection of the force-response In this chapter various types of equivalent
This section emphasizes the major impor- factors. monolithic moment-resisting beam-to-col-
tance of the first step of the seismic design umn connections are presented by means
process, the so-called conceptual design. It Precast Frame Systems with Hinged of descriptions, connection details, con-
is pointed out that every analysis has to be Beam-To-Column Connections struction steps, photos and comments with
carried out on a preconceived structural Such frame systems are used in low-rise reference to relevant experimental re-
system; several decisions have to be made buildings in areas of low or moderate seis- search.
a) b)
Dowel Dowel
Grout Grout
Precast Precast
Dowel beam beam
Grout
Precast beam
Bearing Bearing
Bearing pad pad pad
Precast Precast Precast

column column column
Fig. 1: Typical hinged beam-to-column Fig. 2: Hinged beam-to-column connection with two parallel dowels.
connection with two parallel dowels a) Actions in the plane of the frame
(other reinforcements not shown for clarity). b) Actions perpendicularly to the plane of the frame
160 CPI Concrete Plant International 6 | 2015 www.cpi-worldwide.com

06a-Fertigteile_146-173_en_Layout 1 02.11.15 16:21 Seite 161
Dr. Spyros Tsoukantas, shares his professional activities between experimen-

tal research, academic teaching and consulting work on the design and behav-
iour of R.C.precast structures under seismic situations. He is author of numerous
technical papers and co-author of books for University students. He was the
introducer with Prof. Tassios of the Greek Precast Code (1999), which is still
valid in Greece. As head of the M.E.C.S. structural design consulting firm in
Athens, he designed and supervised a great number of R.C. and precast struc-
tures. spyrostsoukantas@gmail.com
Dr. S. K. Ghosh is President, S. K. Ghosh Associates Inc., Palatine, IL and

Aliso Viejo, CA. He and the firm specialize in seismic and building code consult-
ing. He is a Fellow of the American Concrete Institute and the Precast/Pre-
stressed Concrete Institute and serves on ACI Committee 318, Structural
Concrete Building Code, the ASCE 7 Committee, Minimum Design Loads on
Buildings and other Structures, and the Masonry Standards Joint Committee. He
has served on the Boards of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and the
Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI). skghoshinc@gmail.com
Pin-ended Moment-resisting
connection connection
Moment-resisting Moment-resisting
connection connection
Fig. 3: Classification of FCF considering in-plane lateral force

resistance: a) one-way frame; b) one-way frame with pin-ended
transverse beam; c) two-way frame
Reinforcement of
the beam core
(according seismic
codes for in-situ
frames)
prestressed
steel
rough internal
concrete beam
faces
Fig. 4: Schematic representation of a moment-resisting connection

using U-shaped precast beams (construction steps and typical
reinforcement).
www.cpi-worldwide.com CPI Concrete Plant International 6 | 2015

a) b) c) d)
column stirrups
Fig. 5: Construction steps of a beam-to-column connection with inverted T-shaped precast beams.
a) Step 1: Placement of the column
b) Step 2: Placement of one beam resting on the column
c) Step 3: Placement of two beams resting on the column
d) Step 4: Placement of the column ties into the joint and proper arrangement of the negative reinforcement of the connection
For example: together with stirrups inside the joint core. Usually, walls are story-high and both walls
A brief reference to hybrid frame and wall and slab panels are room-size. Walls might
Figure 4 shows a beam-to-column connec- systems is also made (see fig. 9). also be multi-story.
tion using U-shaped precast beams.
Different types of column-to-foundation con- Alternatively, floors and roofs can be com-
Figure 5 shows a beam-to-column connec- nections are presented as, for example, the posed of precast components of other types
tion with inverted T-shaped precast beam. ones shown in fig. 10 and fig. 11 and are such as hollow-core units, solid concrete
commented on. units, plank-floor units, etc. In all cases,
Figures 6, 7 and 8 show a system in which diaphragm action of the floors needs to be
the beam-to-column connections are made Wall Systems Large Panel Systems mobilized. This can be achieved by proper
as follows: multi-story precast concrete connections between precast slab elements
columns are fabricated, each of which has Precast large-panel wall systems are mainly and their supports or by using topping of
an open gap at each floor level. The longi- used in cases where there is no need for proper thickness, or a combination of the
tudinal bars are continuous and run through large open spaces, such as in apartment above.
the gaps. Precast beams are placed buildings, office buildings, hotels, housing,
between columns, seated on the cover con- educational and administrative buildings The seismic behaviour and structural integri-
crete of the columns or on column corbels. and similar structures. Such systems are ty/robustness of such systems are dis-
The open gaps allow for the arrangement composed of precast large-panel load- cussed, together with possible mechanisms
of the bottom and top beam reinforcement bearing walls and precast concrete slabs. for dissipation of seismic energy.
Fig. 6: A precast project (Cummins) under construction in Pune, Fig. 7: Lifting of a column with two gaps after demolding, ready for
India, (courtesy of Precast India Infrastructures PVT LTD; photo by transport, Cummins project, Pune, India (courtesy of Precast India
Nagesh Kole). Infrastructures PVT LTD; photo by Nagesh Kole).

Requirements concerning details between

precast walls (horizontal and vertical joints)
are presented and commented on, covering
techniques that are usually used in Europe
(see fig. 12) and in the United States (see
fig. 13).
Figure 14 shows an application of large

panels by KEF Infra Precast Company for
the construction of a nine-story-high resi-
dential building in Mangalore, India, using
the U.S. technique.
Wall Frame Systems
Dual systems consist of a combination of

shear walls and moment frames. A dual sys-
tem is commonly used when the moment-
resisting frames alone do not provide desir-
Fig. 8: A column with two gaps in its final able lateral stiffness.
position, Cummins project, Pune, India
(courtesy of Precast India Infrastructures However, a probable lack of deformation
PVT LTD; photo by Nagesh Kole). compatibility in both elastic and inelastic
post-tensioned
Non prestressed Fibre reinforced
tendons
(mild) steel grout pad
Energy dissipation
devices
unbounded post-
tensioned tendons
Fig. 9: Jointed precast hybrid frame and wall systems developed in the PRESSS-Program
(modified from fib, 2003; NZS3101:2006).
Cast in-situ foundation

Horizontal stirrups
Infill concrete
Precast column
Precast socket Precast socket
horizontal stirrups
Vertical stirrups
Precast socket
vertical stirrups
Plain
Precast column
Infill concrete
Horizontal stirrups
Precast socket
Vertical stirrups
Cast in-situ
foundation
Plain cement
concrete (PCC)
Section
Fig. 10: Schematic representation of a socket foundation.

In-situ concrete Precast concrete

Column
Pre-bed seat with
non-shrink grout Rebar
with thickness 50 overlap
mm slightly more
that shim stack
Shims
Corrugated duct
Foundation
Fig. 11: Column-to-foundation connections using corrugated metal ducts

Section AA
(other details not shown for clarity).
Fig. 12: Typical transverse reinforcement in

a) b) a closed vertical shear connection and typi-
cal reinforcement of the precast panels
(shown in one panel only).
Reference is also made to distinctions

among categories of structural walls and
moment frames according to ACI 318-11
and Eurocode 8 (1998).
Typical connections in structural wall sys-

tems according to United States experience
Fig. 13: Location of tensile ties in large-panel structures according to ACI 318 (2011) are shown.
a) Cross wall structure; b) Spine wall structure.
(T = transversal, L = longitudinal, V = vertical, P = peripheral) Floor Framing Systems
ranges between walls and frames should cast-in-place detailing is flexural yielding at Floor systems play a key role in the lateral
be visualized during the design; this is the wall base (see fig. 15). resistance of precast structures by providing
because walls and frames do not deform diaphragm action which serves to:
equally under normal or severe lateral Because a small rotation in a wall will cre- - transfer lateral loads at each level to
loads. On the other hand, for the design of ate a large bar elongation, the ductility at the lateral force-resisting system (walls,
a lateral-force-resisting system for a pre- base is important. Ductility can be in- frames, dual systems); and,
cast/prestressed concrete building (which creased significantly by debonding bars - combine individual lateral force-resist-
is made of precast walls and precast into and out of the foundation, so that they ing elements into a single lateral force-
frames), it is important that the characteris- can deform inelastically over a longer resisting system.
tics of the connections between walls and length, thus resulting in greater rotational
frames be such as to accommodate the dif- ductility (see fig. 16). Generally speaking, design and construc-
ferent behavior of the two systems (walls tion of floor systems in precast constructions
and frames). Reinforcing steel specified for special walls shall meet the basic requirements of serv-
Typically, the desired primary ductile be- should be ductile and have controlled iceability and strength typical of any con-
havior of precast shear walls emulating strength properties. struction system. Serviceability refers prima-
Fig. 14: A nine-story large- panel building under construction in Mangalore, India (courtesy of KEF Infra; photo by A.Dienst).

Precast shear
wall
Hinges at
columns
Fig. 15: Dual building with rotation of the shear wall at each floor
(ACI 550.1R-01).
Precast shear
wall
Hinges at
columns
Fig. 16: Dual building ductile yielding of partially debonded

bars between foundation and shear wall boundary elements
(ACI 550.1R-01).
Horizontal actions Compression

Tension
m
hrag
on diap
ar m
She hrag
d diap
Shear along the joints to
men
Mo
Fig. 17: Shear and moment on diaphragm. Compression and ten-

sion forces due to moment. Shear along the precast member joints.
Shear along the supports of the diaphragm due to horizontal
actions.
Visit us!
stand # 879
rily to limitations on flexural deformation. Strength requires verifica-
tion of the following:
- diaphragm action, which should be effective and in accor-
dance with the design assumptions; Visit us!
stand # N351
- adequacy of end supports of the slab units, which must accom-
modate the earthquake- induced displacements (satisfy com-
patibility) including beam elongations in frame systems and
uplifting in lateral force-resisting wall systems, or combination
of the above; and
- slab action (flexural and shear strength), which should be
maintained under gravity and seismic (horizontal and vertical)
loads.
Aspects of diaphragm behaviour in precast floor systems are treat-

ed by means of design rules, pictures and connection details (see
fig. 17, fig. 18 and fig. 19) together with reference to displacement
incompatibility issues between lateral force-resisting systems and
precast floor diagrams (see fig. 20).

Double-Wall Systems
Reinforcing mesh
Double-wall precast systems are used for

Cast in-situ topping both low- and high-rise buildings such as
residential and office buildings, housing,
hotels, educational and administrative
buildings.
In-situ infill Precast hollow-core-slabs
Precast hollow-core-slabs Double-wall systems are normally built
Reinforcing mesh Cast in-situ topping using an industrialized automatic produc-
tion process. These are walls composed of
two concrete layers, each usually 5 cm to 7
cm thick, with a gap of about 8 to 20 cm
Precast hollow-core-slabs In-situ infill Precast hollow-core-slabs (see fig. 22).
Section AA The two concrete layers are internally con-
nected by means of reinforcement in the
Reinforcing mesh Cast in-situ topping
form of lattice girders at a spacing of about
40 to 80 cm. One layer of welded wire
reinforcement is typically provided in each
layer of the double-wall and acts as the
Precast hollow-core-slabs main wall reinforcement. The gap between
Section BB
the two precast concrete layers is filled by
cast-in-place concrete during construction,
after placement of additional connection
Fig. 18: Typical details for a topped hollow-core slab to ensure full transfer of longitudinal reinforcement where needed, and after
shear across the interface with precast units. placement of the installations.
a) b) c)
Welded steel
plate
Steel Welded steel

angel Welding plate
Weldings Anchor
bars
Weldings
Steel
angels Steel angels
Anchor Edge of
bar member
Fig. 19: Typical flange weld connection (concept according to PCI, 2010) a) plan; b) forces; c) connection detail.
Details of such systems are presented for

Seismic action example in fig. 23 and fig. 24.
Advantages of the double-wall system are
speed of construction, fire resistance, and
Displacement incompatibility Displacement incompatibility economy. From a structural point of view,
between frame and precast between frame and precast
floor unit floor unit
the main advantage is monolithic behavior
under vertical and horizontal loads, which
results in more or less uniform distribution of
the seismic loading in all directions of the
building, minimizing story drifts.
Beam in which
floor units sit
Plastic hinge of Compared with monolithic cast-in-place
the beam
concrete walls, less visible cracking is
Precast floor unit in its
original position Frame deforms in double observed in precast double-walls due to
curvature forcing the precast their production process. The ease of on-site
floor unit to follow
placement of the hydraulic and electrical
installations that precede the on-site place-
Fig. 20: Schematic example of vertical displacement incapability between floor and frame ment of the cast-in-place infill concrete, is
systems (modified from Matthews et al., 2003; NZS3101:2006). also worth mentioning.

Seismic action Elongation in

beam hinge (M)
Section aa
Section bb
Displacement due to
rotation of column
Fig. 22: Precast double-wall:

() reinforcement during production
Fig. 21: Schematic representation of the deformation demand on and damage to a

hollow-core unit sitting on a beam, due to the elongation of a plastic hinge and rotation such as residential buildings, office build-
of supporting beam under seismic excitation. ings, hotels, educational facilities, correc-
tional facilities, etc.
Precast Cell Systems 25). They are typically placed in one verti-
cal line and usually form a self-supporting The cell units are completely constructed in
Precast cells are industrially produced, tower when properly connected together. the precast plant, ready for use after assem-
completely finished, and fitted out at the bly on site, satisfying structural requirements
precasting plant and delivered to the build- Precast cell systems are also used for the and incorporating plumbing, electrical, and
ing site and installed in the building (see fig. construction of different types of buildings mechanical installations.
proper anchorage length

Positive slab reinforcement
Negative slab reinforcement Proper anchorage length
Connecting (wall) reinforcement
Upper wall
longitudinal reinforcement with
proper overlapping
Proper anchorage length
c = proper cover c = proper cover

Supporting reinforcement
lattice girder height lattice girder height
c = proper cover
c = proper cover
Precast plank floor Precast plank floor
h = total thickness
Transverse slab reinforcement
of the double wall
Lower wall
Transverse slab
reinforcement
Joining reinforcement
Fig. 23: Connection of interior walls. Horizontal section: Fig. 24: Interior wall and floor connection. Vertical section:
() Reinforcement in precast members () Reinforcement in precast members
() Additional reinforcement in cast-in-place concrete () Additional reinforcement in cast-in-place concrete
Cell systems are presented by means of

Recommended
texts and figures; fig. 25 is an example.
Such systems are very suitable in cases
Acceptable where dismantling of a building is required
for rebuilding at another location.
Prestocked precast cell units are sometimes
used to accommodate people after natural
disasters.
Advantages of cell systems are:
Detail A
- short construction time and good quali-
Non-acceptable ty, since cells are finished and
equipped at the factory;
- structural integrity of the final building
if cell units are properly connected hor-
izontally and vertically with each
other;
- minimum risk of progressive collapse
Z-axis under accidental loading;
- good insulating properties; and
Y-axis
- cost savings due to industrialization of
the production.
X-axis Main disadvantages of cell systems are:
Strip foundation
- restriction on the sizes of the cell units,
mostly on their widths, which are limit-
Y-axis
Metal Filling In-situ concrete
plate Bolts Anchors concrete at the factory
Anchors
X-axis
Precast slab
Section 1-1 Section 2-2

Metal plate
Fig. 25: Horizontal connection between closed cell units using dry connections at the top of the slabs
(other reinforcement not shown for clarity) (Manolatos et al., 2003).

PRECAST CONCRETE ELEMENTS WE STAND FOR

-
ed to about 3.6 m due to constraints on transport from the pre-
cast plant to the site;
high self weight of the cell units, which may cause difficulties
BEST SERVICE
during transportation and erection; and
- limited architectural flexibility.
We speak your language
Appendices
and answer your
The fib/PCI document containsthree Appendices, as follows: questions!
Appendix A: Structural ductility of precast frame systems
Appendix B: Behavior factors of precast frame systems Arne Vlker
Appendix C: Design example of a one-story industrial building Service Manager
using Force-Based or Displacement-Based Design approaches
Conclusions
In this report, a short summary of the fib/PCI Bulletin of the same

title is presented, in order to draw attention of the readers of this arti-
cle to the variety and extent of the precast topics that are covered
in the fib/PCI Bulletin. It is expected to be published by fib and PCI
by the end of 2015.
Acknowledgements
To all those who participated in fib/PCI Task Group 6.10
References
fib/PCI Bulletin : Precast concrete buildings in seismic areas-Practical aspects(to be published

by the end of 2015).
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Precast Concrete Buildings in Seismic Areas

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06a-Fertigteile_146-173_en_Layout 1 02.11.

15 16:21 Seite 160

PRECAST CONCRETE ELEMENTS