Structural Connections For Precast Concrete Buildings

Connections are among the most essential parts in precast structures. Their performance relates to the structural limit states, as well as to manufacture of the precast elements and erection and maintenance of the structure itself. Proper design of connections is one major key to a successful prefabrication. The principal aim of fib Bulletin 43 is to encourage good practice in the design of structural connections in precast concrete structures. This is achieved through a good understanding of structural connections as parts of the overall structural system and of basic force transferring mechanisms. The bulletin consists of two parts; the first part concerns general considerations and philosophy in the design of structural connections, and the second part deals with basic force transferring mechanisms within structural connections. The main focus is on the design of structural connections with regard to their structural function in ordinary design situations in the serviceability and ultimate limit states, and in accidental/abnormal design situations, like fire, lack of fit and impact/accidental loads. Other aspects considered include production, handling and site erection of elements, building physics, durability and maintenance. Bulletin 43 applies to structural connections for precast concrete buildings, although the information on basic force transfer mechanisms can also be applicable to other types of prefabricated structures.

This second edition of Precast Concrete Structures introduces the conceptual design ideas for the prefabrication of concrete structures and presents a number of worked examples that translate designs from BS 8110 to Eurocode EC2, before going into the detail of the design, manufacture, and construction of precast concrete multi-storey buildings. Detailed structural analysis of precast concrete and its use is provided and some details are presented of recent precast skeletal frames of up to forty storeys. The theory is supported by numerous worked examples to Eurocodes and European Product Standards for precast reinforced and prestressed concrete elements, composite construction, joints and connections and frame stability, together with extensive specifications for precast concrete structures. The book is extensively illustrated with over 500 photographs and line drawings.

In 1994 fib Commission 6: Prefabrication edited a successful Planning and Design Handbook that ran to approximately 45,000 copies and was published in Spanish and German. Nearly 20 years later Bulletin 74 brings that first publication up to date. It offers a synthesis of the latest structural design knowledge about precast building structures against the background of 21st century technological innovations in materials, production and construction. With it, we hope to help architects and engineers achieve a full understanding of precast concrete building structures, the possibilities they offer and their specific design philosophy. It was principally written for non-seismic structures. The handbook contains eleven chapters, each dealing with a specific aspect of precast building structures. The first chapter of the handbook highlights best practice opportunities that will enable architects, design engineers and contractors to work together towards finding efficient solutions, which is something unique to precast concrete buildings. The second chapter offers basic design recommendations that take into account the possibilities, restrictions and advantages of precast concrete, along with its detailing, manufacture, transport, erection and serviceability stages. Chapter three describes the precast solutions for the most common types of buildings such as offices, sports stadiums, residential buildings, hotels, industrial warehouses and car parks. Different application possibilities are explored to teach us which types of precast units are commonly used in all those situations. Chapter four covers the basic design principles and systems related to stability. Precast concrete structures should be designed according to a specific stability concept, unlike cast in-situ structures. Chapter five discusses structural connections. Chapters six to nine address the four most commonly used systems or subsystems of precast concrete in buildings, namely, portal and skeletal structures, wall-frame structures, floor and roof structures and architectural concrete facades. In chapter ten the design and detailing of a number of specific construction details in precast elements are discussed, for example, supports, corbels, openings and cutouts in the units, special features related to the detailing of the reinforcement, and so forth. Chapter eleven gives guidelines for the fire design of precast concrete structures. The handbook concludes with a list of references to good literature on precast concrete construction.

This document has a broad scope and is not focussed on design issues. Precast construction under seismic conditions is treated as a whole. The main principles of seismic design of different structural systems, their behavior and their construction techniques are presented through rules, construction steps and sequences, procedures, and details that should lead to precast structures built in seismic areas complying with the fundamental performance requirements of collapse prevention and life safety in major earthquakes and limited damage in more frequent earthquakes. The content of this document is largely limited to conventional precast construction and, although some information is provided on the well-known “PRESSS technology” (jointed ductile dry connections), this latter solution is not treated in detail in this document. The general overview, contained in this document, of alternative structural systems and connection solutions available to achieve desired performance levels, intends to provide engineers, architects, clients, and end-users (in general) with a better appreciation of the wide range of applications that modern precast concrete technology can have in various types of construction from industrial to commercial as well as residential. Lastly, the emphasis on practical aspects, from conceptual design to connection detailing, aims to help engineers to move away from the habit of blindly following prescriptive codes in their design, but instead go back to basic principles, in order to achieve a more robust understanding, and thus control, of the seismic behaviour of the structural system as a whole, as well as of its components and individual connections.

The aim of this state-of-art report is to present current practices for use of precast and prestressed concrete in countries in seismic regions, to recommend good practice, and to discuss current developments. The report has been drafted by 30 contributors from nine different countries. This state-of-art report covers: state of the practice in various countries; advantages and disadvantages of incorporating precast reinforced and prestressed concrete in construction; lessons learned from previous earthquakes; construction concepts; design approaches; primary lateral load resisting systems (precast and prestressed concrete frame systems and structural walls including dual systems) diaphragms of precast and prestressed concrete floor units; modelling and analytical methods; gravity load resisting systems; foundations; and miscellaneous elements (shells, folded plates, stairs and architectural cladding panels). Design equations are reported where necessary, but the emphasis is on principles. Ordinary cast-in-place reinforced concrete is not considered in this report. This fib state-of-the-art report is intended to assist designers and constructors to provide safe and economical applications of structural precast concrete and at the same time to allow innovation in design and construction to continue. This Bulletin N° 27 was approved as an fib state-of-art report in autumn 2002 byfib Commission 7, Seismic design.