Structural behavior of an innovative all-precast concrete dual system for residential buildings

This paper discusses a new all-precast concrete system used in Romania to construct a residential building. Designed for constructability, a new all-precast concrete system comprising columns, flat slabs, and structural walls was proposed by the design team. To validate the structural quality and performance of this type of structure, an extensive program of theoretical analyses and structural tests (including shake table tests) was conducted. The tests demonstrated good behavior of the precast concrete dual system (frame-wall) adapted for a classic flat-slab structure. The connections resulted in a similar behavior of the precast concrete system to that of the monolithic solution. Due to its functional and technical advantages, high productivity, and low cost, this system has been used in more than 500 flats in Transylvania, Romania.