Horizontal Post - Tensioned Connections for I ' Recast Concrete Load - Bearing Shear Wall Panels

Precast load-bearing shear wall panels are used extensively for high-rise construction because of the ease and speed of assembly, and the high quality of the precast panels. The connections between panels are extremely important since they affect both the speed of erection and the overall integrity of the structure. This paper presents the results of a research program conducted to investigate the behaviour and the capacity of post-tensioned horizontal connections typically used for precast load-bearing shear wall panels subjected to monotonic shear loading. Nine prototype specimens with three different connection configurations were tested. The first two wnfigurations modelled the connections which support the hollow-core floor slab. Posttensioning was included in the second configuration. The third configuration consisted of posttensioned connections without hollow-core slab. Two different levels of load normal to the connection were used to determine the effects of dead load. Rational mathematical models were developed to predict the shear capacity of the connections at the maximum and ultimate limit states. These models were found to be in good agreement with the experimental results. , Structural Engineer, Crosier Kilgour & Partners, Winnipeg, Manitoba 2 Professor, Civil Engineering Dept., University of Manitoba 3 Engineering Manager, Con-Force Structures, Winnipeg, Manitoba 4 Principal, ARC+CADD Architectural CAD Services and Structural Engineering, Winnipeg, Manitoba HORIZONTAL POST-TENSIONED CONNECTIONS FOR I'RECAST CONCRETE LOAD-BEARING SHEAR WALL PANELS R.L. Hutchinson', S.H. Rizkalla', M.Lau and S. Heuvel