BEHAVIOUR OF PRECAST WALLS CONNECTION SUBJECTED TO SHEAR LOAD

This paper presents a study on the connection between the exterior and interior precast concrete walls. The connection between the walls is called loop bars connection. Between the looping bars, one transverse bar is inserted as to ensure connectivity of all the looping bars. This connection produces a gap between the walls, which would then be filled with concrete to produce rigid connection. The main objective of these experimental studies is to determine behaviour of loop bars connection under shear loading. From a visual observation, most concrete crushing and spalling was concentrated at the joint. Strut and tie model of loop joint used to model flow of forces in the connection. The crack showed zigzag pattern and it was developed as the force from one precast element to the other was being transferred by inclined compressive struts between overlapping loop bar. The connection shows a ductile behaviour by producing a few line cracks and having a large deflection to give a warning before failure. This ductility is within the acceptable ductility of a structure. Therefore, it is recommended to the construction industry to adopt this kind of connection design which can be used for medium rise precast building.