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 International Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Management
ISSN 2320 3439, Vol. 02, No. 02, March 2013, pp. 41 - 45

Study on Prefabricated Concrete Beam and Column Connections

VASIREDDY GANGADHARA RAMESH BABU1, BANDLA NAKULESH1, P.SIDDHARTHA1

A. VENKATESWARA RAO2, B. SARATH CHANDRA KUMAR2
1
Student, Department of Civil Engineering, K L University, Guntur, AP, India
2
Faculty, Department of Civil Engineering, K L University, Guntur, AP, India
Email: ramesh55vasireddy@gmail.com, nakuleshb@gmail.com, siddu.reddy143@gmail.com,
sarath.9b@kluniversity.in

Abstract: Prefabrication is very efficient in terms of cost, time and quality. Prefabrication construction systems
have been widely adopted throughout the world. Prefabrication together with the increasing use of
standardization and mechanization has change in the development of the construction field over a last few
decades. Prefabricated concrete provides the advantages of construction effectiveness, high levels of quality
control, savings of construction time, minimization of skilled labor, reduce wastage and saving form work. In
this paper we are focusing on the connections of beam and column. The difference between connections of
prefabricated beam and cast-in-situ column and connection of prefabricated beam and column. Two types of
specimens in prefabricated beam and column they are monolithic specimen and precast specimen are discussed.
Strength, stiffness, damping and energy dissipation of specimens were studied. Specimens were tested under a
displacement-controlled cyclic load history that was based on the drift angle and that represented a severe load
condition for a beam-column joint. During specimen fabrication, it was clear the ease, speed and reliability of
construction with the connections are tested. Specimen failure was controlled by shear at joints. Skilled labor,
well knowledge site engineers and good observation of connecting joints are need in prefabrication works. This
paper concludes the prefabrication concrete beam and column connection in detailed.
Key Word: Prefabricated concrete, Connection beams-columns, Monolithic specimen, precast specimens.

Introduction
material savings [4]. In construction and development
Prefabrication concrete elements are one of the most
of prefabricated concrete is due to environmental
remarkable developments in the constructions of
protection material, it avoidance of waste and
concrete structures. In last few years, prefabricated
minimize waste, prefabrication of building has proven
concrete elements have been used extensively and
to reduce construction waste by up to 52% [5].
widely for architectural and structure buildings around
Prefabricated concrete buildings are structures made
world [1]. In prefabricated concrete provides
up of numerous small individual elements of concrete
advantages such as easy management of construction
cast at an off-site location. These prefabricated
schedules ,saving construction times ,quality control,
elements such as beams, columns, slabs and walls are
reduce of skilled workers and efficiency use of
transported to the site for assemblage and erection [6].
materials [2]. The prefabricated concrete having a
Building development adopted s, such as
special qualities of fire protection, high thermal
prefabricated faade, prefabricated walls,
capability, durability and acoustic insulation of any
prefabricated stairs, prefabricated beams and columns
climatic conditions. For using this prefabricated
[7]. We are focusing on connections between beam
technology has been proven architectural flexibility,
and columns. While assembling the prefabricated
superior quality, less labor requirement, ease of
beam and columns some problems will raised. The
construction at site, less wastage of natural resources,
joints created with time difference between
low maintenance good solution for work safety.
connection and its surrounding concrete. Since there
Countries like India is also facing a shortage of skilled
is no building code specified for prefabricated
labor in construction field, prefabrication works
structures, all designs are done with cast in place
required less labor intensive. Construction of mass
concrete design codes, beam and column connections
structures is critical in context of seismicity in India.
must designed in another methods [8]. The main
In coming year India had a threat of earth quake
objective to discuss about the connection of
effects in and around India, The seismic zone map has
prefabricated beam- cast in situ column and
been subdivided India into 5 zones mainly I, II, III,
prefabricated beam- prefabricated column. The two
IV and V. The seismic high intensity is expected
types of specimens in prefabricated beam and column
maximum in zones marked as V and higher [3]. The
are monolithic specimen and precast specimen. For
seismic zone maps are updated regularly .The mass
the pervious papers many test gone through on the
structures contributes to the lateral forces and stresses
specimen. Failures of prefabrication connection based
and leading to uneconomical designs. With
on beam and column relevant moment rotation are
implementation of prefabrication concrete
studied from literature reviews.
components and slender members, the mass of
structure is controlled, economical design and

IJAEM 020204 Copyright @ 2013 SRC. All rights reserved.

 VASIREDDY GANGADHARA RAMESH BABU, BANDLA NAKULESH, P.SIDDHARTHA
A. VENKATESWARA RAO, B. SARATH CHANDRA KUMAR

Review of Literature Prefabrication together with increasing use of

standardization and mechanization has brought a rapid
Prefabricated concrete construction is a key stimulant change in the development of construction field
to industrialization and economical growth in throughout the world. Prefabrication techniques lead
developing countries, prefabrication is preferred on to increases large-scale and high-rise constructions
the building components are made off-site in a [15]. Placing a prefabricated beam and column
factory. Off site fabrication provides an effective connection is evaluated by moment capacity, moment
constructional technique in terms of quality, time, rotation response at the end of the beam and by the
cost, management, function and safety [9]. failure mechanisms within the connection zone. To
The advantages of prefabricated building systems: shifting the concentration of beam rotation away from
[10-13] the connections to produce greater rotational stiffness,
1. Shorter construction time - less than half of n order to introduce an emulative connection that
conventional cast in-situ construction could be the same way as rigid connections.
2. Independent of adverse weather conditions during Additional short bars of length equal to the column
construction width plus two times the beam depth, horizontal links
3. Continuing erection in Winter time until -20 C at the beam ends [16]. The development for
4. Quality surveillance system multistoried building frames with connections, which
5. Factory made products is focused on maximum end moment of frame. There
6. Opportunities for good architecture is a mathematical relationship is developed and used
7. Healthy buildings for design and analysis of joints of a particular type.
8. Environmentally friendly way of building with The linear moment curvature (M-) relationship is for
optimum use of materials, recycling of waste this particular type of connections required. Using this
products, less noise and dust etc relationship investigations have been carried out to
9. Cost effective solutions study the behavior of precast building frame such as
10. Reduce construction waste connection flexibility and its effect on internal
distribution of forces, lateral drift, and joint rotation
Table 1: Comparing benefits of prefabrication [17]. Two beam-column joints were constructed and
elements and on-site building process [14] tested under unidirectional and bi-directional cyclic
loading that simulated earthquake-type motions.
Factor Prefabrication On-site
In a climate-controlled Uncertain
Connection between Prefabricated Beam and
environment using weather can result
Quality efficient equipment in less-than
Cast-In-Situ Column
operated by well-trained expected
people. construction. Different types of beam-column connections have
Speedy process (up to Time consuming. been introduced to join the prefabricated beam
70% less) The process can element to column elements. In present study the
Speed
be delayed by beam is prefabricated and the column is cast-in-situ.
weather or The beam is connected with a plate at the end which
scheduling was welded to longitudinal section of beam. The
conflicts. dowel bars placed transversely in column is welded to
Greater control over Uncontrollable
steel plate. After complete casting of column in the
manufacturing results variables such as
dramatically reduces the weather and
site, the manufactured beam is placed by means of
Cost connection. Bolting of steel plate at the top and
chance of cost overruns. scheduling can
increase the bottom portion of the beam should be done. Washer
construction cost should be incorporated in the joints to avoid point
Versatility Less More contact and cracking of element [17].
Panels arrive on a flat- Bigger space is
bed trailer and are needed. In Connection between Prefabricated Beam And
installed with sufficient addition costly Column
Site space
listing plants. scaffolding is
often necessary
Internal connection in multistory prefabricated
for installation.
Less waste is generated A significant
building, a cruciform sub frame was considered. In
at the site. amount of waste each cruciform sub frame consisted of one column
produced and and two continuous beams as shown in Fig-2. The
Site refuse beam and column connection they are two types of
removed from the
site, which often specimens are monolithic specimen and precast
adds to cost. specimen. The beam and columns for both monolithic

International Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Management

ISSN 2320 3439, Vol. 02, No. 02, March 2013, pp. 41 - 45
 Study on Prefabricated Concrete Beam and Column Connections
and precast specimens were manufactured using
concrete of different grade basing on requirement
[18].
Fig-1: Connection with stiffener between prefabricate
reinforced concrete beam and cast-in-situ column in
prefabricated building frames.
Fig-2: Cruciform Sub Frame [18]
Monolithic Specimen
Monolithic specimen developed for comparison with
precast specimens results according to cast in place
basing on different concrete recommendations. In this
monolithic specimen the cruciform consists of one
column and two continuous beams they are crossed
each other as shown in Fig-3.The beam and columns
are casted in a cage so that concrete should cover total
reinforcement. The total casting should be done in one
stage [8].
Fig-3: Monolithic specimen- before and after
concreting
International Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Management
ISSN 2320 3439, Vol. 02, No. 02, March 2013, pp. 41 - 45
Precast Specimen
With reference to the monolithic specimen-before and
after concreting the cruciform consists of one column
and two continuous beams. As shown in Fig-3, half
depth precast beams were installed on both sides of
corbels, the installation of top reinforcement bars,
while the bottom reinforcement bars were already cast
in the half beam [18]. To complete the connection
between prefabricated beam and prefabricated
column, see Fig-4, a second stage of concreting using
wet cast-in-place concrete was carried out, at site
simple formwork should done along the beam [19].
Fig-4: Precast specimen- before and after concreting
Test Setup
In test setup the column ends and beam ends were
pinned. The upper column was connected to the
reaction through double-action hydraulic actuators
[16]. Beams were connected to the reaction floor
through steel struts with hinges at their ends.
Specimens were tested under a displacement-
controlled cyclic load history that was based on the
drift angle and that represented a severe load
condition for a beam-column joint. The loading
sequence originated from recommendations made by
ACI (1997). Three cycles at same drift level were
applied. Bi-directional cycles to 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5
percent drift angle were applied in specimen. No axial
load was applied to the columns since experimental
evidence suggests that axial load has no effect in the
joint shear strength [20].
Fig-5: Displacement-controlled test sequence [20]
 VASIREDDY GANGADHARA RAMESH BABU, BANDLA NAKULESH, P.SIDDHARTHA
A. VENKATESWARA RAO, B. SARATH CHANDRA KUMAR
Test Procedure
To simulate upper storied loading, a compressive
force which representing compressive stress in the
column was first applied using hydraulic jack within a
self equilibrating frame or a reaction frame in the case
.the negative moment was applied to the connection
through eccentric beams loads both acting at two
specimens from the face of column, i.e. 3.63 and 3.05
times beam depth, respectively. In order to study the
effect of the reversible loading on the recovery of the
strain, in one specimen, the beam load was reversed at
25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the expecting yielding
moment. Loading and unloading increments were
5KN and10KN, respectively. The applied beam loads
induced horizontal reactions at the ends of the column
catered for by pinned jointed restraints [16].
Fig-6: Test setup and instrumentations [8]
The test specimens were restrained in horizontal plane
on some rollers to move freely and then boundary
conditions were applied. For applying point of contra
flexure in frame members due to lateral loads, the
supports of test set-up in column bottom and end of
beam were pinned at one end and roller at another
end. The axial force was applied to column bottom
with a hydraulic jack as shown in Fig-6. Lateral
loading was applied gradually to column top, mostly
with displacement control, until to achieving desired
drift angle. Loading in stage1 was applied at
observation of fine cracks. In the next stage, loads
were applied at 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3% drift angle.
Three cycles loading was applied in each drift levels.
But at the end of cycles, crack widths were monitored
at the end of each loading stage. Finally, test was
terminated at 6% drift angle [8].
Failure of Prefabricated Connections
Prefabricated connections are more complex and less
defined because the model is almost impossible to
unify. The study of working mechanism of
prefabricated connections is reduced to comparisons
with monolithic connections and precast connection,
the definition of yielding connections with respect to
monolithic connections and precast connection. The
International Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Management
ISSN 2320 3439, Vol. 02, No. 02, March 2013, pp. 41 - 45
yielding of connections is analyzed through following
relevant parameters [21]:
1. Ultimate bending moment MU.
2. Rotational stiffness S.
3. Ultimate capacity of rotational ductility U.
Fig-7: Rotation of the beam relative to the column
A rigid connection is based on the assumption that in
case of deformation, the angle closed by the beams
and the columns, the walls and the floors structures, in
the connection remains unchanged after deformation.
In experiments carried out in the paper [22],
prefabricated connections are found to have an area
within which a relative rotation of the beam plate
occurs in relation to rotation of the column wall. This
area is called the joint area zone, the relative rotation
within the joint from the rotation due to deformability
of the beam plate at highly complex.
Test Results
Behavior of the specimens was compared together
with respect to dynamic parameters such as stiffness
degradation, energy dissipation, damping ratio and
ductility of specimen factors. All of these above
parameters are non-dimensional values to estimate the
connection detail and strength of the specimen [8].
Conclusions
1. Two types of connections tested proved to be
sufficient and reliable in the construction of
prefabricated concrete structures
2. Joint shear strength of monolithic and precast
specimens percentages satisfies the
construction factors , initial shear cracking
occurs at lower levels of nominal shear stress
in specimens
3. Monolithic specimen had a good energy
dissipation characteristic. The damagers are
more and cracks are wider in precast
specimen.
 Study on Prefabricated Concrete Beam and Column Connections
4.
All specimens satisfy seismic behavior even
all of building code requirements and they
are applicable in moderate to high seismic
zones.
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