Experimental Investigation on the Seismic Performance of Novel Prefabricated Composite RC Shear Walls with Concrete-Filled Steel Tube Frame

The present study proposed novel prefabricated composite RC shear walls with a concrete-filled steel tube frame (CCRCSW-CFST) because of the superior seismic performance of shear walls incorporating CFSTs as boundary-restrained members. One cast-in-place reinforced concrete shear wall (RCSW) and seven CRCSW-CFSTs, each varying in axial compression ratios, concrete strengths, and shear span ratios, were designed for experimental analysis. Cyclic loading tests were performed on these specimens, yielding the following results: (1) Compared to reinforced concrete shear walls, CCRCSW-CFSTs demonstrated superior seismic performance, with 14.2% increased ductility and 47.5% greater energy dissipation capacity. (2) Elevating the axial compression ratio in CCRCSW-CFSTs resulted in increased yield strength, peak strength, and stiffness. Conversely, this adjustment also expedited the degradation of stiffness with displacement and decreased both ductility and ultimate deformation. (3) The peak displacement and ultimate displacement of CCRCSW-CFSTs were both increased with an increase in concrete strength. Increasing the axial compression ratio enhanced the initial stiffness of CCRCSW-CFSTs and mitigated the rate at which stiffness deteriorated with increasing displacement. (4) The stiffness, peak and ultimate displacements, peak and ultimate loads, and shear span ratio of CCRCSW-CFSTs were significantly reduced as the shear span ratio was increased. (5) The minor slip between the reinforced concrete panel of the precast slab and the encasing C-shaped steel contributed to an increase in early-stage energy dissipation of the CCRCSW-CFSTs.

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