Assessment of the effectiveness of steel box connector in precast beam–column connection under seismic effect

The study investigated the seismic performance of steel box connector (SBC) precast beam–column connection specimens using cycling loading test. The cyclic loading tests provided a comprehensive understanding of SBC precast beam–column joint behavior under dynamic and repeated loading conditions. The steel box connector is an effective solution to the limitations of overlap in beam–column connection, and can improve the performance of connection. Using a SBC provides more uniform distribution of stresses and strains across the connection, reduces the potential for localized failure modes and provides ductile behavior, which is essential for structures subjected to seismic loads. The connection with SBC showed the improvements to 20% in load–displacement response, energy dissipation and cumulative energy, compared to beam–column without SBC. The crack pattern, failure state, stiffness degradation and strain response were performed a good behavior with the presence of steel box connector. In addition, the experimental results showed the greater value, compared to predicted strength and the use of a steel box connector is expected to apply and develop in precast structure production.