Title: Experimental evaluation of hollow-core wall orientation in steel moment frame
Date Published: May - June 2019
Volume: 64
Issue: 3
Page Numbers: 92 - 103
Authors: Mehdi Nazarpour, Parsa Monfaredi, and Abdoreza S. Moghadam
https://doi.org/10.15554/pcij64.3-02

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Abstract

Hollow-core precast concrete panels are widely used as nonstructural wall units in steel structures. This experimental research evaluated the lateral seismic performance of hollow-core panels placed in a steel moment frame. This paper discusses the effects of the orientation of the hollow-core panels that were reinforced with two layers of high-strength, bonded pretensioning strands for lateral resistance. A half-scale steel moment frame with two hollow-core panels placed horizontally was tested with cyclic lateral loading and a constant axial load. An identical frame with two panels placed vertically was tested in the same manner. The test results indicated that vertical placement of hollow-core wall units was more effective in resisting lateral loading and a higher load-bearing capacity was achieved, as well as better flexibility and ductility compared with panels placed horizontally. The damage sustained by the system with the vertical panels was considered to be nonstructural damage, which is more desirable than structural steel frame damage. The vertical placement of hollow-core wall units controlled nonstructural damage, improved the seismic behavior of the steel moment frame at high seismic forces and resisted higher lateral loads. The movement of the hollow-core panels in the steel moment frame was observed with the vertical panels rocking within the frame and the horizontal panels sliding against each other.