Structural performance of novel precast column-foundation connections: an experimental investigation

ABSTRACT Most projects in India utilized cast-in-situ concrete, despite the widespread use of precast concrete structural technologies globally. The swift increase in India’s population and the scarcity of space led to a significant demand for multistory residential buildings. As a form of natural disaster, Earthquakes inflicted considerable damage on infrastructure and resulted in loss of life. It was determined that the inadequate performance of the connectors was responsible for the failure of the precast constructions. The connections were the most vulnerable aspect of the precast concrete structure. The present study investigated the behavior of precast column-footing connections subjected to monotonic lateral loading. Two half-scale column-footing connection specimens-one conventional and the other precast-were prepared and tested under monotonic lateral loading. These elements were tested under lateral load. The precast column-footing connection was connected using a half-grouted sleeve. The study’s main aim was to investigate the load-carrying capacity, mode of failure, crack pattern, stiffness, energy absorption and ductility of the column-footing connection elements. The half-grouted sleeve precast column-footing connection element performs better than the conventional concrete column- footing connection. The half-grouted sleeve column-footing connection exhibited higher performance than the conventional connection, with increases in load-carrying capacity (8.47%), ductility (27.08%), energy absorption (30.96%), stiffness (2.1%), and energy dissipation (23.28%). The research is recommended for implementation in practical applications.