Dynamic response of precast concrete frames

An experimental investigation was done to examine nonlinear dynamic response of precast concrete frame systems. Two building-like test structures were constructed for the purpose of subjecting them to simulated earthquake motions on the Illinois shaking table. The structures were assembled from one-tenth scale precast concrete beam and column members which were connected either by tension-compression yielding bars, or with post-tensioning. These connections provided either nonlinear inelastic or nonlinear elastic behavior to provide contrast to the observed dynamic response. An array of progressively increasing base motions were input parallel with the plane of the frames to examine various ranges of dynamic behavior from low-amplitude linear response to high-amplitude nonlinear response. Measured dynamic response provided benchmark data for confirmation of dynamic analysis procedures which included simplified methods based on static or dynamic response, and/or linear or nonlinear behavior. This report includes descriptions of the experimental and analytical investigations, a complete ensemble of measured response histories, and a number of recommendations for modeling nonlinear dynamic response of precast concrete frame structures.