Experimental behavior of precast hollow core floor diaphragms subjected to cyclic loading

This paper highlights the results of the initial experimental phase of a comprehensive research project on the seismic performance of precast untopped hollow-core floor diaphragms. The experimental specimen resembled a subdiaphragm region of a prototype shear wall-frame interactive system building where the in-plane seismic forces are to be transferred to a frame and a structural wall at both floor unit ends. A bidirectional test fixture was used for simultaneous control of inplane lateral load and bending deformations. Global behavior, stiffness, strength and deformation demands on the connections and sliding of the longitudinal and transverse joints are examined under a sequence of increasing cyclic displacements