Seismic assessment of one-story RC precast buildings with cladding panels

During recent seismic events one of the most common damage in reinforced concrete precast structures was the collapse of the cladding panels. The failure was mainly caused by the inadequate strength of the connections between the panels and the structure. The present study investigates different structur al model s for precast buildings in order to investigate the influence of the nonstructural elements on the global seismic performance of one - story precast buildings as well as the roof behavior . According to the results of nonlinear dynamic analyses, the panel stiffness significantly influences the overall structur al behavior under seismic actions and the failure of the connections occurs at very low intensity values. The seismic response of the structures changes as well as the seismic demand at the panel - to - structure connections if the model with cladding panels p rovides the flexible roof. The influence of the cladding panels is investigated also by means of an innovative model in OpenSees, capable to simulate the panel collapse during the nonlinear dynamic analysis, i.e. once the collapse of the connection is achi eved the analysis of the structure continues without the corresponding panel. The panel - to - structure interaction less influences the structural response if the progressive collapse of the panels is simulated. The simulation of the progressive collapse allo ws recording the redistribution of the forces during a time - history in all the structural elements. This model might simulate the failure of precast structures, occurred during some seismic events after the collapse of the panels.