Experimental investigation of the mechanical performance of novel rigid connections in prestressed circular composite precast concrete columns under cyclic lateral loading

The present study introduces an advanced design of Prestressed Circular Composite Precast Concrete Columns (PCCPCCs), which have been applied in real-world structures, equipped with two novel rigid connection types (i.e., the reinforcing-cage connection and the welded-plate connection) to address existing challenges in the design, construction, and quality control of traditional precast concrete (PC) columns. A series of five large-scale experiments assessed the mechanical performance of PCCPCCs subjected to cyclic lateral loading and constant axial loading conditions. The results indicate that the specimens exhibited no signs of collapse or loss in axial load capacity during the tests. Furthermore, all specimens met or exceeded the performance criteria set by relevant standards, such as GB50011-2010 and ACI 374.1-05, regarding drift ratio, moment capacity, energy dissipation, and ductility. It demonstrates that the novel design of PCCPCCs proposed in this study can be integrated into practical construction projects designed as lateral-force-resisting systems, such as moment-resisting frames and bridges, to accommodate diverse construction project requirements.