Seismic Design

Considerations for
Precast Concrete
Multistory Buildings
Robert E. Englekirk wenty-five years ago, the use of • Beams and girders (supporting non-
Ph.D., P.E.
Adjunct Professor
Department of Civil Engineering
T precast concrete in buildings
located in regions of high seis-
micity was more prevalent than it is
seismic loads only)
• Columns (posts)
Today, earthquake bracing systems
University of California today. (Reasons for this decline, to- composed of precast concrete ele-
at Los Angeles; and gether with ideas to alleviate this situ- ments are seldom attempted. This ex-
Chief Executive Officer ation, are given in Refs. 1 and 2.)
Englekirk & Hart, Inc.
clusion of precast concrete elements
Los Angeles, California Currently, most precast concrete from seismic load paths has not al-
used in buildings in high seismic ways been the case. In the early
zones, particularly on the West Coast, 1970s, a few precast concrete bracing
is confmed to: systems were attempted. Two basic
The precast concrete industry • Cladding building systems were built:
• Topped floor slab systems • Ductile frames using precast con-
is perceived by the author to
be at a crossroads - one
path leading to an uncertain
future, the other to a new in-
dustry with ever-expanding
horizons. The evolution of the
precast concrete industry in
seismically active regions of
the United States and other
parts of the world are dis-
cussed. Current innovative
system concepts are pre- CONCRETE
COLUMN
sented and the technological
needs of the industry are
identified. A program for in-
suring that the industry ex-
pands its horizons is outlined.
Fig. 1. Precast concrete shell for a ductile frame beam.

40 PCI JOURNAL
 ism developed for cast-in-place con-
v crete. Additionally, all of the pre-
w: ~ ~
f:: scriptive provisions developed to
~'-r--- f5 I 16'
promote ductility in cast-in-place
r- 1- PANEL REINFORCING concrete are imposed on precast con-
Ill crete construction.
Ill
Ill The concrete details shown in Figs.
Ill I~
POUR SOLID POCK ET
AFTER WELDING "' :u
lfl
3 and 4 were considered "state of the
art" design concepts in the 1970s be-
ANGLE 2X2X3/16 Ill cause they exceeded code require-
FIELD WELDED TO BARS-1- Ill
Ill ments. They are taken from plans for
Ill a 10-story apartment building located
GRO
UT~ c -=- I I
I ~ 2-f5 I!
BOTTOM OF PANEL in Whittier, California, which was
I
t: :::: . . ... . ... . .......
..~ ~ , .. ,
subjected to an acceleration in excess
of 0.6g during the Whittier earth-
quake. The building experienced no
damage.
State of the practice (code comply-
c~ ing construction) details for frames
and shear walls are shown in Figs. 5
and 6. Clearly, they are not intended
for precast concrete construction.
(}
A recent (early 1980s) attempt at a
midrise (six-story) precast concrete
Fig. 2. Chord tie between two precast panels.
building was attempted by Rockwin
Corporation. Although all the com-
crete shells (Fig. 1), and absorption are provided." This ponents of the building are precast,
• Vertically assembled wall panel "equivalent ductility" option was the seismic technology is really a cast-
systems. A chord tie for such an as- never used - and is still not used - in-place mentality (Fig. 7). Rockwin
sembly is shown in Fig. 2. because a standard methodology for used this system to build their cor-
Unfortunately, the construction of establishing "energy absorption and porate office building. During the
the prototype was more difficult than ductility equivalence" does not exist. Whittier earthquake, this building
envisioned and neither approach was As a consequence, all load transfers was subjected to a full scale test at
developed into a standard building must be accomplished by a mechan- loads of probably 6 to 10 times code-
system. Precast concrete seismic
bracing systems were abandoned be-
cause the connectivity problems were
clearly overwhelming. Frame beam a: u
B'-4'
~Ul 0
shell to column connections and rein-
forcing placement requirements were
ZIIJ
HH
<1-
...
0
5'-B'
::E
11.111..
more difficult and time consuming a:o Ill
'J....._r

even though the objective was to em-

ulate the cast-in-place ductile frame
of the 1970s (Fig. 3).
Connecting panels using welded
.
.
CD

.
CD
I --,- 8

splices was expensive and the quality ..

CD

CD
2'
4'4'4~12'0R .12'0R .12'0R .12' IR .12'0R .12"0R .1 "OR
a·
..,
control poor. The chord ties and shear 1B" 18' 18' 18 18" 18'
I
transfer details for cast-in-place C\1

'0 '0 ~
buildings built in the early 1970s did
not include boundary elements and,
as a consequence, were simple by
today' s standards. Fig. 4 is taken from
fffJ ji) I
the end of a shear wall designed to __.......J- I

1970 standards.
Precast concrete construction then,
as now, was required to conform to a
code developed for cast-in-place con-
crete unless "evidence is submitted
ct 1--

h.__ -
lc ELEVATION B-B
8

that equivalent ductility and energy Fig. 3. Ductile frame reinforcing (1970 vintage).

May-June 1990 41
 ADDITIONAL -ru. '-
EXTERNAL COLUMN
REI~ORCING
2-#4 WITH
#3 TIES @ 18 f---8" END LONGITUDINAL
(OMITTED FROM SHEAR WALL LEVEL REINFORCING
ELEVATION ABOVE
FOR CLARITY)
• 1-4 14-#11
r---
r- 4-6 10-#11
• • ----#4 TI~S
2 @4 5 @ 6" 6-7 8-#11
REM . @' 10 " 0 . C .

• "•L ~ 7-8 6-#11

6" ARCH'L.
PROJECTION--· {Jh- • _ ~l
. =
ta ::hl
\__AS ADJACENT FACE
8-9

9-R
6-#10

4-#9

Fig. 4. Boundary element for a shear wall (1970 vintage).

prescribed load levels. No structural
damage occurred. The Rockwin head-
quarters building is the only building
constructed using this system; unfor-
tunately, the structural market for
precast concrete is rapidly disappear-
ing in regions of high seismicity.
Creating a Viable
Precast Concrete Industry
If precast concrete is to become a
viable construction material, it must
address issues that are constraining its
use in seismic as well as nonseismic
areas. The major constraint facing the
precast concrete industry today is the
requirement that it comply with a
technology developed for cast-in-
place concrete and especially those
provisions which control the design
of seismic bracing systems. So long
as precast concrete elects to live in the
shadow of cast-in-place concrete, it
will always remain the ''ugly (unbuild-
able) sister."
On the other hand, during the past
decade the masonry industry has
made enormous strides in developing
a seismic design technology that
recognizes how masonry is econom-
ically constructed. The precast con-
crete industry must, and hopefully
soon will, develop a seismic design
technology that permits its intelligent
use as a construction technique.
The National Science Foundation,
in conjunction with PCI and the Pre-
cast Concrete Manufacturers' As-
sociation of California (PCMAC),
has recently agreed to fund the first
three years of a program entitled
PRESSS (Precast Seismic Structural
Systems). The objectives of this pro-
gram are to:
1. Develop comprehensive and ra-
tional design recommendations based
on fundamental and basic research
data which will optimize the viability
of precast concrete construction in
seismic zones.
2. Develop new materials, concepts
and technologies for precast concrete
construction in seismic zones.
Essential to the success of this pro-
gram is direction from the precast
concrete industry. Initially, the direc-
tion must come in the form of ideas.
Broad conceptual ideas about where
the precast concrete industry should
be in the 21st century must be
developed. Specific questions that
need to be addressed are:

-+, 15 TIES @ 4" O.C .

r f 4 TIES@ 4 • o.c.

";::>

" ~12-#11
#5 TIES @ 4• o.c. 17 @ 6" o.c. 42-111
- ~ fl-'-

Fig. 5. Ductile frame reinforcing (1989 vintage). Fig. 6. Boundary element for a shear wall (1989 vintage).

42 PCI JOURNAL
• How must precast concrete build-
ings be erected if they are to be
competitive?
• What precast concrete products are
most versatile and competitive?
• What production techniques will be
used to manufacture these precast
concrete products?
• What connector concepts stream-
line production and erection?
In order to effectively accomplish
this task, manufacturers, constructors
and engineers must first purge their
systems of all prejudices and per-
ceived constraints which could inhibit
the creative accomplishment of the
aforementioned tasks. The National
Institute of Standards and Technol-
ogy, under the direction of H. S. Lew
and Geraldine Cheok, has already
embarked on a program which is
prototypical of what should become a
standard approach.
The program was conceived and
developed in accordance with the fol-
lowing processes:
1. A need was perceived for high
rise precast concrete buildings whose
seismic resistance was to be provided
entirely by ductile frames (shear wall
free).
2. Erection needs were developed

CUTAWAY VIEW

. ... . . ~ ...

I·
.. -!f+!'""-:.,.;jt~~-~-.--
• A·,

. ':tttt· f"-1 N S ER T S

f~l:n~j··~·~~·~~-~~+GROUTED
r -STANDARD
JOINT

tt-tt.,..··.-:-''tf:-:"""~h::tttt~
.. :· ~~~~~~~~ s
tt-tt,:-..:-,~-'--..,1\'-.....;-tfii-'_ +-- SHIM AS REQ'D.
itft.~~~...:...;--ttlt:·.. ._____THREAOE
DOWEL
0

CONFINEMENT
ANGLE WITH ANCHORS
*lt:--""'--":-:...-,~':-ittt~ r- THIN METAL

-'--~-r----~
· _
• _. ,·,_~··-~·~~~~~~VEE T~EBAR
FILL WITH
GR OUT

DETAIL A OETAI L B DETAIL C

BEAM TO BEAM CONFINED AREA AT COLUMN TO COLUMN
PRECAST COLUMN

Fig. 7. Precast building system developed by Rockwin Corporation.

May-June 1990 43
after consultation with a group of in-
dustry advisors. The consensus was
that the structure must be erected
much as a steel frame building is
today. Essential elements of this type
of erection procedure are:
• A two-floor erection process.
• Alignment capability after erection.
• Early integration of the final brac-
ing system into the construction
process so as to minimize tempo-
rary bracing costs and constraints.
3. Product versatility dictated:
• The use of rectangular components
for beams and columns.
• Prestressing was strongly recom-
mended to improve handling, con-
trol member deflection, and reduce
cost.
4. Connector concepts were iden-
tified as:
• A void extensive welding and the
associated embedded hardware.
• Incorporate adequate tolerances.
• Avoid large formed wet joints.
• Design joints that minimize crane
time.
Many engineering details requiring
extensive welding or complex assem-
bling procedures were proposed by
panel members as yet unable to purge
perceptions of probable joint per-
formance. The panel decided to at-
tempt the 21st century design shown
in Fig. 8 because it most closely com-
plied with the manufacturing/con-
struction criterion previously de-
scribed. More imaginative details
should and, it is hoped, will be ex-
plored. An epoxy bonding (similar to
that shown in Fig. 9) should not be
presumed unreasonable given the fact
that we plan to land a person on Mars.
A connection similar to that pro-
posed in the National Institute of
L6X6 SIM . TO BELOW
W/ 2-1"e BOLTS IN
OVERSIZE HOLES
FIBER REINFORCED
NON-SHRINK GROUT
10, 000 PSI
4"e CORRUGATED METAL
DUCT W/ PT STRANDS
SHIM AS REQ'D
L6X6X1X1'-6" LONG
W/ 2-112" THICK
GUSSETS W/ 1"e BOLTS
@ 6" D.C. (3 TOTAL)
IN SLOTTED HOLES
TEMPORARY CORBELS TO
BE REMOVED AFTER
STRANDS ARE STRESSED
EACH SIDE
Fig. 8. Precast beam and column connected by post-tensioning.
Behavior at or near ultimate for the The introduction of strand as ten-
precast concrete beam is crushing of sion reinforcement reduces or elimi-
the toe. This type of failure is charac- nates the bar buckling problem at the
teristic of the post yield behavior of expense of producing higher com-
cast-in-place joints. The failure is ini- pressive stresses in the concrete. Ul-
tiated by cover spalling generated by timately, toe deterioration will always
cyclic yielding (elongation) and be the limit state for a ductile moment
buckling of the now overstrained connection. The compression/shear
compression reinforcement. This transfer mechanism in the toe must be
spalling and toe degeneration is fur- dealt with in an imaginative way.
ther aggravated by the high level of A fiber reinforced epoxy grout
compression and shear transfer in this coupled with a strain limiting bearing
region. pad cast in either the beam or the
v

Standards and Technology's program

was tested successfully by Dr. Robert
Park in New Zealand over 10 years
ago. Fig. 10 shows the type of con-
struction Dr. Park envisioned. A full
~--------~-11-~--~-~--------~
scale beam-column test program was
developed. The moment displace-
ment relationship (Fig. 11), though
not cycled through intermediate duc-
tilities, clearly indicates that a rea-
sonable level of ductility is available.
The behavior of a cast-in-place joint
is shown in Fig. 12 for comparison. Fig. 9. Precast beam and column connected by epoxy binder.

44 PC! JOURNAL
 - .... - PRETENSIONED TENDONS AND/OR
NONPRESTRESSED REINFORCEMENT---

MORTAR JOINT~' /~MORTAR JOINT

~
c I
\. ~
~
. I

\_POST TENSIONED
TENDONS MIDSPAN

NOTE:: ONLY LONGITUDINAL STEEL

IN MEMBERS SHOWN
Fig. 10. Structural configuration for constructing continuous frames from precast concrete elements.

BEAM END DISPLACEMENT, INCHES

-14 -12 -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
I I I I I
NEGATIVE MOMENT AND DISPLACEMENT
CORRESPOND TO DOWNWARD LOAD AT
I
,; v ~
-~
160
l.._
1- 120
BEAM END
/jVI
UJ
UJ
LL.
a. 80 I
1-1
~
/ )
....:
zw
40

L v .~I~.
w
2:
0
2:
0
v v
.. .
(!)

....z
:I:
-40

-eo /
v .,-N
.___
~
2:
~
w -120
I .. ~4-3/8" DIA. STRANOS
m

-160
) . ..
0!0
I I ~3/8" DIA. STIRRUP

l
v .. ....- ..........
~2-12w/0 . 276" DIA

11 x 's
.. ..
~ I~
.,-N
luL!j

Fig. 11. Measured beam end displacement vs . beam plastic hinge moment.

May-June 1990 45

60
30
U)
Q. td+l
H
~
u.i
0
u
a:
0
I.J...
-30
-60
-1.0
Fig. 12. Measured beam displacement vs. applied load.
column would better distribute the
strain and thereby control concrete
deterioration (Fig. 13). The develop-
ment of imaginative cures must take
precedence over determining the limit
state of unimaginative load transfer
concepts.
World Experience
Precast concrete construction is not
only being used, but it is also being
promoted in Japan on high rise build-
ings. The Japanese counterpart to the
U.S. PRESSS program is charged
with developing a national design
standard for precast concrete con-
struction by 1992. This lack of a na-
tional standard has not kept Japanese
contractors from using precast con-
crete. Taisei Construction Company
uses what they call "layered construc-
tion" to reduce construction time.
This system consists of precast
columns, and a column joint shell
developed so that it can receive a
solid beam which in turn supports
46
-.5 0 .5
STROKE, IN.
form slabs. Seismic bracing is
provided by a ductile frame. All
beams contribute to the seismic brac-
ing of the building. This bracing sys-
tem is designed to emulate cast-in-
place construction. Features that are
significantly different from U.S. prac-
tice include the splicing of all column
bars immediately above the floor with
mechanical splices.
The technical justification for
precast systems in Japan is provided
by test. Japanese contractors test full
scale subassemblies to a prescribed
loading sequence in order to establish
that the level of component ductility
exceeds that which is required by the
design criterion used. The ultimate
design strength for precast systems is
essentially the same as comparable
cast-in-place systems.
The design criterion in Japan ap-
pears to accept a prescribed level of
subassembly ductility as proof that
sufficient building ductility exists.
The equivalence of building "duc-
tility and energy absorption" current-
5 x's
8/d -2.31
p •1.031
s •3.25"
d •13"
VELOCITY •0 . 1 IN. /SEC .
1.0
ly required by U.S. codes must be
reduced to a subassembly behavior
criterion as it is in Japan. Compara-
tive subassembly tests are the only
logical way to determine whether the
yield level prescribed for cast-in-
place concrete is appropriate for
precast concrete construction.
New Zealand codes, for example,
require certain precast concrete brac-
ing systems to be designed to a higher
yield (1.25x) level than comparable
cast-in-place systems. Clearly, there
has been more focus abroad on the
development of precast concrete
building systems and design criteria
than has occurred in the U.S.
The U.S. precast concrete industry
must promote a performance type
design philosophy if it is at all inter-
ested in the structural system market
in regions where seismicity is a con-
sideration. Boston, Massachusetts,
and St. Louis, Missouri, are only two
examples of places which now re-
quire seismic considerations. It is ex-
pected that many other areas of the
PCIJOURNAL
 _ ~ FIBRE REINFORCED
ELASTOMERIC L_GROUT
BEARING PAD

IN SITU CONCRETE

BONDED P/T STRAND

Fig. 13. Post-tensioned ductile beam-column connection.

(a) FLOOR SLAB BARS CONNECTED BY

OVERLAPPING LOOPS
(VERTICAL BAAS NOT SHOWN)

IN SITU CONCRETE

Fig. 14. Horizontal bars connected by overlapping loops.

(b) FLOOR SLAB BAAS CONNECTED BY WELDING

(VERTICAL BAAS NOT SHOWN)

aL !IECTIOII IHI

(c) POSSIBLE METHOD OF CONNECTING

VERTICAL BAAS

Fig. 16. Typical horizontal joints between prefabricated large

Fig. 15. Horizontal bars connected by welding. panels.

May-June 1990 47

HiiH STRENGTH GROUT
FOAM PLASTIC COLLAR
DRY PACK MORT
(a)
Fig. 17. Horizontal joints for prefabricated wall panels (hollow-core slab floor systems).
United States will require such
provisions.
The U.S. Scene
The U.S. construction industry
needs a viable precast concrete in-
dustry if it is to meet the needs of so-
ciety. Interest in the precast concrete
research necessary to establish a vi-
able precast concrete industry is in-
creasing, but the application of this
research currently awaits code ap-
provals.
Precast panel high rise construc-
tion, for example, should supply a
significant portion of our residential
needs. Marketing precast concrete
PRE LOAD
&ROUTED JOINT
SPACE---...
APPLIED
SHEAR LOAD
THICKNESS • 200 mm
Fig. 18. Specimen configuration for shear transfer test program.
48
OUTLET TUBE
INLET TUBE
PLASTIC BEARING STRIP
wall panels for high rise construction
in seismic regions is impossible given
the design constraints of current
codes. The principal obstacles are:
• Boundary elements (Fig. 6)3 are re-
quired when PulA+ Mu IS> 0.2 f~
(always the case).
• Two curtains of steel are re~red
in shear walls 3 when Vu > 2 --Jj(.
The new masonry code ( 1988
UBC, Chapter 24)3 does not require
boundary elements, nor does it pre-
scribe an arbitrary limit for single cur-
tain shear reinforcement. The mason-
ry industry was able to establish by
test, as the concrete industry and the
precast concrete industry could, that
distributed reinforcement provides
0 or connector in the end of a thin panel
CD
....
([)
25.4 mm • 1 inch
BOLTED STEEL
COUPLING ELEMENT
(b)
more ductility than a wall which is
over-reinforced by large boundary
elements.
The connectivity of precast panels
has been studied in many countries
which recognize the economic need
for precast concrete residential build-
ings. The key to innovation in panel
construction, assuming that the
design hangups of the preceding para-
graph can be solved, lie in the devel-
opment of connectors which are ef-
fective from a cost and engineering
perspective. Connections such as
those shown in Figs. 14 through 17
are suggested in the literature and
should get the job done, but the result-
ing system is probably not affordable.
What are the innovative concepts in
large panel construction that require
development? The transfer of flexural
capacity requires continuity of verti-
cal reinforcement. Vertical post-
tensioning is an obvious candidate as
are coupled threaded bars. Post-
tensioning systems utilizing strand
should have a decided advantage
since the introduction of any rigid bar
will undoubtedly promote toe failure
and, as a consequence, reduce the
strength and ductility of the system.
The viability of distributed boundary
reinforcement must be established.
Shear transfer along horizontal and
vertical joints must be provided. Most
recently, shear transfer was studied
by Foerster, Rizkalla and Heuvel. 4
The specimens were tested as shown
in Fig. 18. Sliding friction along an
unreinforced joint subjected to a con-
PCI JOURNAL
 improve joint performance. Strain
controlling bearing pads might also
1600 APPLIED COMPRESSIVE 290 0 SP 11 be the answer to the toe failure
STRESS 580 e SP 21 mechanism.
1400
Shear wall reinforcement concepts
1200 and continuity requirements devel-
oped for cast-in-place concrete need
z 1000 700 psi to be discarded and replaced by con-
~ cepts which are appropriate for
0 800 precasting.
< 500 psi
0 The most encouraging step toward
...J 600 developing a viable precast concrete
structural system is the initial phase
400 of the NIST program discussed pre-
200 25.4 1111 • 1 inch viously. The test program was devel-
1 kN • 0 . 225 kips oped with a stated goal of demon-
0 strating and comparing "equivalent
-2 2 6 10 14 22 ductility and energy absorption" of
DISPLACEMENT (mm) comparable cast-in-place concrete
subassemblies and precast assemblies
Fig. 19. Load-displacement relationship for smooth joint. connected as shown in Fig. 8. The
beam/column assemblies were devel-
oped from actual designs of a 15-
stant compression is higher than one percent but post-slip shear transfer by story structure located in Seismic
might expect [85 percent of the ap- only 20 percent. Keyed joints seem Zone 4 (Fig. 21).
plied compressive load (Fig. 19)]. hardly worth the effort especially if, The results of these initial tests will
Whether or not this can be translated as is the usual case, a floor system soon be available,5 but the encourag-
into a shear transfer criterion for the must interrupt panel continuity (Figs. ing aspect is that the precast concrete
compression region of flexing panel 16 and 17). system was able to sustain larger dis-
needs to be established. Interestingly, Room for innovation exists. Ad- placements and displacement duc-
a keyed joint (Fig. 20) increased the hesive grouts or grouts which allow tilities than their cast-in-place compa-
pre-slip shear transfer by about 50 for controlled deformability should rables. Load-displacement curves for

IN SITU CONCRETE
PROTRUDING STEEL

WALL PANEL
DIAGONAL STRUT
(b) PLAN SECTION

en
en CASTELLATED JOINT
~
l-
en
~
UJ
:I:
en
(a) ELEVATIONS
SHEAR SLIP
(NOTE: REINFORCING BARS NOT SHOWN
-SEE PLAN SECTION)
(c) TYPICAL SHEAR STRESS-SHEAR SLIP
RELATION FOR MONOTONIC LOADING
Fig. 20. Typical castellated joint between prefabricated large panels.

May-June 1990 49
 Loading direction
North-South
l

8
r
r-A L ~ 32.

16" ® ®
j_
L t
-A 26"

8 l
41 3/4"
(37") •

47 3/4"
(43").
_j .
1" Post-tensioning bar
1-112" Corrugated duct

8- #3,
9-13 -V'"i w [0 ·--4-#4
Top & Bottom

0.207" smih. wire ~

8 - 0.207"
@ 3 1/3" O.C. smth. wire

0.207" smth. wire

5- 13
2- #4
- ~- ,.,?,
@ 1 1/3" O.C.

MONOUTHIC POST-TENSIONED
• Numbers in parenthesis are for
the post-tensioned specimens. SECTION A-A SECTION B-B

Fig. 21. Test specimen for ductile frame (NIST program).

66.0

39.6 45

'[ 13.2 Cii' 15

a.
;g, ;g.
0 0
~
c(
g -13.2 ...J -15

-39.6 -45

-66.0 -75 '-=.._......jl......<:..L.:...._ _....u...._ ___._ _ _..___ ___.

-2.10 -1.26 -0.42 0 .42 1.26 2.10 -1.75 -0.85 -0.05 0.95 1.85 2.75

DISPLACEMENT (inches) DISPLACEMENT (inches)

Fig. 22. Load-displacement curves (cast-in-place joint). Fig. 23. Load-displacement curves (precast joint).

50 PCIJOURNAL
the two subassemblies are shown in
Figs. 22 and 23.
The precast concrete system was
also capable of sustaining signifi-
cantly more cycles to failure than the
cast-in-place specimen. Consequent-
ly, the total energy absorbed, despite
the pinching of the precast beam hys-
teresis loops, was equivalent. Many
more specimens will be tested in this
program so we should not rush to
judgment, but rather be encouraged to
try new concepts.
Industry leaders continue to ad-
vance the innovative use of precast
concrete. Lloyd Compton of L.A.
Compton Group is in the process of
developing a ductile fascia panel to be
used to brace midrise (4 to 6 story)
buildings. The concept is developed
about an adjustable casting capable of
dealing with the tolerances which
must be provided for in precast con-
crete construction.
May-June 1990
Innovation is synonymous with
precast concrete. Given some lati-
tude, precasters will surely develop
innovative systems. It remains then to
be able to establish a technology
which promotes this innovation.
Conclusion
Precast concrete buildings can and
should be constructed in seismic
areas. A technology compatible with
precast concrete construction needs
must be developed. This can be ac-
complished only if constructors and
precasters take an active, open
minded, and yet stubborn part in the
development of forthcoming research
programs. The thrust must be to
develop imaginative systems that im-
prove performance and solve prob-
lems as opposed to merely establish-
ing limit states for poor design con-
cepts.
REFERENCES
1. Englekirk, R. E., "Towards a More Effec-
tive Use of Precast Concrete Cladding,"
Proceedings, Architectural Precast Con-
crete Cladding - Its Contribution to
Lateral Resistance of Buildings, Precast/
Prestressed Concrete Institute, Chicago,
IL, 1990,pp. 4-13.
2. Englekirk, R. E., "An Analytical Ap-
proach to Establishing the Seismic Resis-
tance Available in Precast Concrete
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34, No. l, January-February 1989, pp.
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3. Uniform Building Code, Section 2625
(f), International Conference of Building
Officials, Whittier, CA, 1985.
4. Foerster, H. R., Rizkalla, S. H., and
Heuvel, J. S., "Behavior and Design of
Shear Connections for Loadbearing Wall
Panels" PCI JOURNAL, V. 34, No. 1,
January-February 1989, pp. 102-119.
5. Cheok, Geraldine S., and Lew, H. S.,
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Tensioned Precast Beam-Column Con-
nections;· : to be submitted to the PCI
JOURNAL for publication consideration.
51