Post-tensioned interior precast wide beam-column connections subjected to lateral loading

The post-tensioned precast concrete system (PPS) developed in this study consists of U-shaped precast wide beams and concrete columns, where the continuity of wide beam-column joint is provided with the cast-in-place concrete on the U-shaped precast wide beam and the post-tensioning to the beam after casting of slab. The PPS structure can overcome the defect of discontinuity in the connections of precast members using cast-in-place concrete on precast members, and complement the low sectional efficiency of wide beam by applying the post-tensioning. In this study, an experimental investigation was performed with three half-scale specimens of interior connection fabricated employing PPS structure. Specifically, this paper presents the response of PPS interior beam-column joint subjected to cyclic lateral loading and evaluates the relevance of the beam-to-column width ratio criteria specified in ACI 318-05. The test results indicate that the PPS specimens can resist properly seismic loads maintaining overall structural integrity.