Seismic Performance Evaluation of Precast Prestressed Concrete Frames Containing Recycled Aggregates

This research aims to investigate the cyclic behavior of prestressed assembled precast frame structures that contain various amounts of recycled aggregates. A series of half-scale model precast frame structures with different recycled aggregate substitutions, varying from 0 to 100%, were constructed and tested to failure to evaluate their structural performance indexes in terms of strength, stiffness, cumulative energy dissipation, and damping ratio. The tests showed that all tested prestressed assembled precast frame structures maintained the features of a low-damage and self-centering seismic-resistant system before the drifts attained 4%. The occurrence of adverse effects in seismic behavior is more likely if more natural aggregates are substituted by recycled aggregates. However, those adverse effects observed in the experiments are not severe. Therefore, this type of recycled aggregate concrete precast frame has the potential to provide adequate seismic capacity. It is definitely possible to be used in regions of high seismicity with a rational design. Empirical equations for estimating the equivalent damping and self-centering efficiency are proposed.