Roof Isolation and Girder-to-Column Dissipative Connections in Seismic Design of Precast R/C Structures

A new section of a study on innovative anti-seismic design strategies of precast reinforced concrete structures is presented herein. The solution conceived in this new step of the study consists in seismically isolating the building roof and incorporating girder-to-column dissipative connections. Two different types of dissipaters are considered for installation in the latter, i.e., fluid viscous spring-dampers and triangle-shaped added-damping-and-stiffness steel yielding devices. A benchmark building, designed according to a traditional ductility-based approach at a previous step of the study, is redesigned by assuming the two alternative dissipative connection technologies. Sizing criteria and details of both solutions are discussed, along with the results of the time–history analyses carried out to assess their performance up to the maximum considered normative earthquake level, and a comparative cost evaluation with the traditional design is offered.