Experimental and numerical studies on the seismic performance of fully cast‐in‐situ concrete exterior walls

Abstract

AbstractTo investigate differences in the seismic performance of the main structure between a window sill wall and a coupling beam under two different flexible connections, two coupled shear wall specimens with concrete window sill walls and one counterpart specimen without infill walls (S‐1) were designed for quasistatic tests. The test results indicated the following: In specimen S‐2, fully disconnected by polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes, the coupling beam and window sill wall formed a double coupling beam working mode. The failure mode of the main structure of specimens S‐1 and S‐2 was the beam‐hinge mechanism. In specimen S‐3, which was partially disconnected by extruded polystyrene board strips, the coupling beam and the window sill wall worked together as an integral beam and underwent shear failure, revealing significant differences in failure mode compared to S‐1. In addition, the relative deformation between the first‐floor window wall and the main structure of specimen S‐2 could occur, and the interaction between the two was relatively small compared with that of specimen S‐3. Similarly, compared with those of specimen S‐1, the peak loads of specimens S‐2 and S‐3 were approximately 52.37% and 79.99% greater, respectively. The ductility coefficient of S‐2 was equivalent to that of S‐1, while the displacement ductility coefficient of S‐3 decreased by approximately 41.95% compared to that of S‐1. The connection between the main structure and the concrete infill wall with PVC effectively reduced the interaction between the two components and reduced the damage. Finally, MSC. Marc software was used to establish a solid model and simplified model of the equivalent compression bars of all the specimens, and the results were compared with the test results.