IJSTE - International Journal of Science Technology & Engineering | Volume 2 | Issue 12 | June 2016

ISSN (online): 2349-784X

Experimental Investigation of Vertical

Connections in Precast Wall Panel under Shear
Load
R. Ahilan
ME Student
Department of Civil Engineering
SRM Easwari Engineering College, Ramapuram, Chennai,
Tamil Nadu, India

S. Anandhi
Assistant Professor
Department of Civil Engineering
SRM Easwari Engineering College, Ramapuram, Chennai,
Tamil Nadu, India

Dr. V Govindharajan
Chief Engineering Manager
L&T Construction Pvt. Ltd, Chennai-600089

Abstract
This Project deals with the experimental study and analysis of precast wall panel connections. The integrity of a precast system
depends on connections more than the structural members itself. The connections between panels are the key factors which
affects both the speed of erection and the overall integrity of the structure. The types connection proposed in this study is loop
connection with trapezoid shear keys. The shear keys are used to increase the shear carrying capacity of the connections. 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 grouting
material. The main objective of these experimental studies is to determine behaviour of loop bars connection under shear
loading.
Keywords: Wall panel connections, vertical connection, grouting, loop bars, shear loading, transverse reinforcements
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I.

INTRODUCTION

General Introduction
Prefabricated concrete shear wall panels are used extensively in high rise construction. Precast concrete structural systems
benefit from advantages, such as improved quality of construction, efficient use of materials, reduced construction time, and cost
efficiency. In addition, precast concrete allows architects and engineers to perform more innovative designs than traditional castin-place concrete design.
One of the main concerns in precast concrete construction is the method by which the panels are connected. Connections must
provide adequate strength, ductility and continuity in order to insure the integrity of the structure under various loading
conditions. It is most important for a successful construction of precast reinforced concrete structures in terms of the structural
behaviour. The main purpose of the structural connection is to transfer forces between the precast concrete elements through
connections in order to obtain structural interaction once the system is loaded. The connections between panels are extremely
important, since they affect both the speed of erection and the overall integrity of the structure. Therefore, the structural
connections should design properly as the same for the precast.
The design of connections is one of the most important considerations in the structural design of a precast concrete structure.
The purpose of a connection is to transfer load, restrain movement, and provide stability. Within any one connection, there may
be several load transfers; each one must be designed for adequate strength and ductility and be appropriately detailed.
Connections in Precast Concrete
The main limitation of precast construction is that there exist joints between the precast component and adjacent structural
elements that need to be connected. The performance of a precast concrete structure is greatly influenced by the performance of
the in-situ joints and the integrity of these joints. As saving construction time is the most important advantage of using precast
concrete, the design emphasis should be such that the connections details facilitate a short construction time. Details that are too
elaborate or vulnerable should be avoided as far as possible. Methods to field-connect precast concrete elements should optimise
the safety and efficiency of crane and erection crew operation.

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Experimental Investigation of Vertical Connections in Precast Wall Panel under Shear Load
(IJSTE/ Volume 2 / Issue 12 / 040)

Connections in Reinforced Concrete wall panels

The reinforced concrete joints are usually subjected to shear, tension or flexure. The connections within reinforced concrete
joints are usually secured by the continuity of the reinforcement that may be achieved by appropriate use of splicing of
reinforcement. The connections are as follows
Lapping of bars with straight ends
Welding of bars or steel plates
Reinforcement grouted into apertures
Overlapping of reinforcement loops
Prestressing
Threaded or filled sleeving and
Threaded couplings.
Vertical wall to wall connection
The vertical joints are designed to transfer shear forces under lateral loads. The joint faces are indented to provide shear keys for
shear transfer with increasing lateral loads. Beyond cracking of concrete, a strut-and-tie action is expected to develop.
Overlapping reinforcing loops are provided along with shear keys to take up the horizontal component of the inclined
compressive strut.
A continuous vertical bar is provided inside the overlapping loops from the adjacent units. The loops thus couples the adjacent
panels. For sufficient out-of-plane support, a panel is adequately connected to the perpendicular panel through overlapping
reinforcing loops with the vertical bar. The exterior wall panels along the shorter direction of the building, which constitute the
primary shear walls to resist the lateral forces, are provided with six shear keys per storey height. In interior wall joints, reduced
number of reinforcement loops are provided per storey height since the shear demand is less.
II. SCOPE
The scope of the work comprises an experimental study on the shear load carrying capacity of vertical joints between two
adjacent precast wall panels.
The capacities of proposed vertical connections are to be tested for account.
The compressive strength of concrete in the joint and loop connection parameters.
Identify the contribution of each component used for the connections.
Comparisons studies on specimens with different loop connections
Estimate the strength due to Strut and tie action, anchorage bond strength and stress developed at the critical section.
III. OBJECTIVE
The main objectives of this project are:
To investigate failure mode of vertical connection under shear load.
To study the cracking resistance of joints with the vertical connections
To determine behaviour of loop bars connection under shear loading.
To examine the strut and tie actions of joints with shear key connections.
To determine the maximum shear stress the connection can take.
IV. LITERATURE DISCUSSION
Based on various literatures, it is that connections in precast wall panels, including shear walls, must be designed to transfer all
design forces and moments.
The presence of shear keys in the horizontal connection enhances the shear capacity in comparison to the plain surface
connection. The difference in the shear key configuration had an insignificant effect on the behaviour capacity of connection.
Cement
383.3 kg/m
1

Table 1
MIX PROPORTION
Fine Aggregate Coarse Aggregate
682 kg/m
1288kg/m
1.78
3.36

Mix Design for M35 Control Concrete = 1: 1.78: 3.36

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Experimental Investigation of Vertical Connections in Precast Wall Panel under Shear Load
(IJSTE/ Volume 2 / Issue 12 / 040)

V. DIMENSIONS OF PRECAST PANELS AND CONNECTION

The wall Panels dimensions are assumed as 0.6m height, 0.4m width and 0.1m thickness. Furthermore, connection of walls
which is located in the gap between two panels is 0.3m height, 0.15m width and 0.1m thickness.
Connection parameters

The loop bar is provided with a diameter of 12 mm is used to connect the two panels.
The length of the bar is provided as development length which is 50 times the diameter.
The transverse reinforcement bars of same diameter are provided between the loops.
Shear keys of different shapes are provided to study the behavior of connection.
Fosroc Conbextra GP 2 is a ready mix dry power is used a grouting material to connect the panels.

Connection Types
Loop connection is an efficient form of reinforced concrete connection. It consists of the application of splicing the looped bars
protruding from the respective precast concrete members. In a way it is reminiscent of a spirally reinforced concrete column if
the loops are considered to act as stirrups. Three types of loop connections are considered and they are
Loop Connection Trapezoid Shear Keys (angle 45).
1) The depth and length of the shear key are taken as 50mm and 100mm respectively.
2) The depth and length of the shear key are taken as 50mm and 100mm respectively.
3) The additional reinforcement is provided to improve ductility and to avoid failure due to tension.
Loop Connection with Trapezoid Shear Keys
1) Loop connection with trapezoid shear keys (angle 45) and additional transverse reinforcements
2) Loop connection without shear keys.
The Connection Configurations Are Shown In Figures 6.1 to 6.3.

Fig. 1: Loop connection trapezoid shear keys

VI. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Compressive Strength of Cylinder
Specimen: Cylinder
Dimensions: 150mm X 300mm
Area of Cylinder: 176.7 X 103 Mm2
Instrument Used: Demec Gauge
Load
(Kn)
0
10
20
30
40
50
100

Table 2
Compressive Strength Of Cylinder
DemecGauge Readings
Avg
Stress
Strain (Kn/Mm2)
At Top
At Bottom
0.525
0.425
0.475
0
0.492
0.390
0.441
0.000056
0.535
0.356
0.445
0.00011
0.500
0.362
0.431
0.00016
0.490
0.402
0.446
0.00022
0.468
0.365
0.416
0.00028
0.533
0.357
0.445
0.00056

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Experimental Investigation of Vertical Connections in Precast Wall Panel under Shear Load
(IJSTE/ Volume 2 / Issue 12 / 040)

150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
550
600
650
700

0.553
0.517
0.479
0.445
0.485
0.400
0.486
0.454
0.422
0.475
0.368
0.333

0.422
0.340
0.253
0.291
0.353
0.242
0.245
0.204
0.209
0.244
0.115
-0.017

0.4875
0.428
0.366
0.368
0.419
0.321
0.365
0.329
0.315
0.359
0.2415
0.158

0.00084
0.00113
0.00141
0.00169
0.00198
0.00226
0.00254
0.00282
0.00311
0.00339
0.00367
0.00396

Fig. 2: Stress Vs Strain Graph

Concrete Cube Testing

Grade of concrete : M35
Dimensions
: 100mm x 100mm
Table 3
3rd DAY TESTING
Sample

Weight (Kg)

Yield Load (kN)

1
2
3

2.469
2.579
2.576

Sample

Weight (Kg)

1
2
3

2.422
2.468
2.382

Sample

Weight (Kg)

Yield Load (kN)

1
2
3

2.530
2.570
2.466

304
308
410

221.6
176.24
224
Table 4
7rd DAY TESTING
Yield Load (kN)

364
252
172
Table 5
28th DAY TESTING

Strength (N/mm )
22.16
17.62
22.4

Strength (N/mm )
36.4
25.2
17.2

Strength (N/mm )
30.4
30.8
41

Split Tensile Test

SPECIMEN : Cylinder
MATERIAL : Concrete
DIMENSIONS : 100mm X 200mm

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Experimental Investigation of Vertical Connections in Precast Wall Panel under Shear Load
(IJSTE/ Volume 2 / Issue 12 / 040)

Table 6

split Tensile Test

Sample

Weight (Kg)

Density

Load (kN)

1
2
3

4.108
4.146
4.104

4108
4146
4104

110
104
100

Strength (N/mm )
3.52
3.33
3.2

Compressive Strength of Grouting Material

Specimen : Cube
Material : FosrocConbextra Gp2
Dimensions : 40mm X 40mm
Table 7
Compressive Strength of Grouting Material
Sample Load (KN) Strength (N/mm2)
1
109
68.125
2
55
34.38
3
126
78.75

Test Results of Non-Destructive test

Table 8
3rd DAY TEST OF M35 GRADE CONCRETE CUBE
Sample

Rh
UPV (m/s)
Density (Kg/m )
1
2469
25.4
4785
2
2579
24.9
4785
3
2576
27.25
4673
Table 9
7rd DAY TEST OF M35 GRADE CONCRETE CUBE
Sample

Rh
UPV (m/s)
Density (Kg/m )
1
2422
28.75
5155
2
2468
31.62
5155
3
2382
31.60
5025
Table 10
7rd DAY TEST OF M35 GRADE CONCRETE CUBE
Sample
1
2
3

Density (Kg/m )
2530
2570
2466

Rh

UPV (m/s)

39.5
38.7
38.26

5855
5654
5575

Testing Of Panel with Vertical Connection

The wall panel is tested under Uniformly Distributed Load (UDL) conditions. The testing of panel is done with the help of
hydraulic operated jack connected to load cell. The load is applied to the beam with the help of hydraulic jack and the data is
recorded from the data acquisition system, which is attached with the load cell. One LVDT (Linear Variable Deflection
Transformer) is placed at the center of the specimen and second LVDT is placed on end of panel. The value of deflection is
obtained from LVDT.
Table 11
Testing Of Panel With Vertical Connection
Deflection (mm)
Strain
S.NO Load (kN)
X 10-6 mm Connection End
1
0.1
944
-0.20
0
2
16.4
963
-0.2
4
3
68.7
636
0.6
9
4
143
332
1.2
13
5
144
1094
1.8
16
6
146.6
1075
1.7
15
7
149.1
1046
2.2
15
8
150
1041
1.9
17
9
152
840
1.7
15
10
155
712
1
16
11
157
1020
1.3
16

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Experimental Investigation of Vertical Connections in Precast Wall Panel under Shear Load
(IJSTE/ Volume 2 / Issue 12 / 040)

12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26

161
162.7
164
165
170.2
175
181
184
185
188.1
190.1
195
195.2
200
200.8

945
914
1093
35406
35406
35406
35406
35406
35406
35406
35406
35406
35406
35406
35460

2.1
1.6
0.6
1.7
1.9
2.1
2.1
1
1.3
1.4
1.7
1.3
5
5.8
5.6

15
15
16
16
16
16
16
16
17
18
19
20
19
2.1
21

Fig. 3: Load Vs Deflection of Panel Test

VII. CONCLUSION
On applying loads up to 200 KN, it is observed that the connection provided for the panels are intact except for some micro
cracks. On increasing loads above 200 KN it is observed that the cracks are formed in the panels while the connection still takes
the load. So it can be concluded that the provided connection is more than adequate to resist shear load produced during
earthquakes. The connection configurations can be used for practical purposes.
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