Nonlinear seismic response of a reinforced concrete large-panel precast building

This study investigates the seismic performance of reinforced concrete large-panel precast buildings, focusing on their nonlinear response under various earthquake scenarios. The widespread use of Large-Panel Buildings (LPBs) in seismically active regions, coupled with their unique structural properties and limitations of current analysis methods, requires a more comprehensive understanding of their behavior during earthquakes. A detailed numerical model was developed to capture the complex dynamics of LPBs, including nonlinear material properties, panel-to-panel interaction, and connection behavior under dynamic loading. The research methodology used advanced computational techniques, including nonlinear time history analysis and local response examination of critical elements, with a particular focus on connection regions. The results demonstrate significant differences between traditional code-based linear analyses and nonlinear dynamic analyses, especially in predicting damage distribution and interstory drift ratio (IDR). Specifically, the nonlinear analysis revealed a concentration of damage in lower stories, with maximum IDR values of 0.282% in the first story for high-intensity scenarios, contrasting with the code-based predictions of 0.178% in the middle stories. Furthermore, the study identified limitations in current industry-standard software, particularly in hysteresis modeling capabilities for LPB-specific behavior. These findings underscore the critical importance of employing nonlinear analysis techniques for accurate seismic performance assessment of LPBs and underscore the need for software enhancements to better represent the unique characteristics of these structures in seismic regions.