Experimental Study on the Seismic Performance of Confined High Walls of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Panels Used in Subway Stations

This study addresses the unique challenge of the partition walls in subway stations, featuring high height, fire prevention, and located outside the main frames, by introducing a confined autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) panel wall system. Different from studies on a main frame with infill walls, t...

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Main Authors: Xiaowei Li, Qidi Zhang, Han Bao, Yong Yao, Zhaoqiang Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Buildings
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/3/416
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author Xiaowei Li
Qidi Zhang
Han Bao
Yong Yao
Zhaoqiang Zhang
author_facet Xiaowei Li
Qidi Zhang
Han Bao
Yong Yao
Zhaoqiang Zhang
author_sort Xiaowei Li
collection DOAJ
description This study addresses the unique challenge of the partition walls in subway stations, featuring high height, fire prevention, and located outside the main frames, by introducing a confined autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) panel wall system. Different from studies on a main frame with infill walls, this study aimed to explore the seismic performance of partition walls, which were fabricated with confined high AAC panel walls and located outside the main frames. A custom-designed partition wall, measuring 6600 mm in height, 3400 mm in width, and 200 mm in thickness, underwent cyclic testing. A detailed analysis of specimen’s failure modes was conducted, focusing on seismic behavior such as hysteresis curves, envelope curves, ductility, stiffness degradation, and energy-dissipation capacity. Additionally, the study delved into shear deformation, relative slippage between AAC panels, and reinforcement strains within the specimen. Finally, the <i>D</i>-value method for calculating the initial stiffness of the confined high AAC panel walls and the weak sub-structural approach for determining the load-bearing capacity of confined high AAC panel walls were proposed and validated. The results indicate that the strength degradation factor of the confined high AAC panel walls ranges from 0.971 to 0.716. The drift of its upper portion accounts for 76.94–83.63% of the total drift, while the energy dissipation factor of its upper portion is 0.8–4.8% higher than that of the entire specimen. The yield and ultimate drift rotations of the entire confined high AAC panel wall and its upper portions satisfy the elastic and elastic-plastic inter-story drift rotation limits specified in the Chinese code. The calculated initial stiffness of the confining frame, obtained using the <i>D</i>-value method, closely aligns with experimental results, with a deviation of only 2.48%. Additionally, the load-bearing capacity calculated using the weak sub-structural approach deviates from the experimental average by just 4.30%.
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spelling doaj-art-0af5d4febfa14a7c8529602aed0a6f252025-08-20T03:12:34ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-01-0115341610.3390/buildings15030416Experimental Study on the Seismic Performance of Confined High Walls of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Panels Used in Subway StationsXiaowei Li0Qidi Zhang1Han Bao2Yong Yao3Zhaoqiang Zhang4School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, ChinaChina Railway Eryuan Engineering Group Co., Ltd., Chengdu 610031, ChinaChina Railway Eryuan Engineering Group Co., Ltd., Chengdu 610031, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, ChinaThis study addresses the unique challenge of the partition walls in subway stations, featuring high height, fire prevention, and located outside the main frames, by introducing a confined autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) panel wall system. Different from studies on a main frame with infill walls, this study aimed to explore the seismic performance of partition walls, which were fabricated with confined high AAC panel walls and located outside the main frames. A custom-designed partition wall, measuring 6600 mm in height, 3400 mm in width, and 200 mm in thickness, underwent cyclic testing. A detailed analysis of specimen’s failure modes was conducted, focusing on seismic behavior such as hysteresis curves, envelope curves, ductility, stiffness degradation, and energy-dissipation capacity. Additionally, the study delved into shear deformation, relative slippage between AAC panels, and reinforcement strains within the specimen. Finally, the <i>D</i>-value method for calculating the initial stiffness of the confined high AAC panel walls and the weak sub-structural approach for determining the load-bearing capacity of confined high AAC panel walls were proposed and validated. The results indicate that the strength degradation factor of the confined high AAC panel walls ranges from 0.971 to 0.716. The drift of its upper portion accounts for 76.94–83.63% of the total drift, while the energy dissipation factor of its upper portion is 0.8–4.8% higher than that of the entire specimen. The yield and ultimate drift rotations of the entire confined high AAC panel wall and its upper portions satisfy the elastic and elastic-plastic inter-story drift rotation limits specified in the Chinese code. The calculated initial stiffness of the confining frame, obtained using the <i>D</i>-value method, closely aligns with experimental results, with a deviation of only 2.48%. Additionally, the load-bearing capacity calculated using the weak sub-structural approach deviates from the experimental average by just 4.30%.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/3/416seismic performanceprefabricationAAC panelscyclic testinghigh panel assembled walls
spellingShingle Xiaowei Li
Qidi Zhang
Han Bao
Yong Yao
Zhaoqiang Zhang
Experimental Study on the Seismic Performance of Confined High Walls of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Panels Used in Subway Stations
Buildings
seismic performance
prefabrication
AAC panels
cyclic testing
high panel assembled walls
title Experimental Study on the Seismic Performance of Confined High Walls of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Panels Used in Subway Stations
title_full Experimental Study on the Seismic Performance of Confined High Walls of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Panels Used in Subway Stations
title_fullStr Experimental Study on the Seismic Performance of Confined High Walls of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Panels Used in Subway Stations
title_full_unstemmed Experimental Study on the Seismic Performance of Confined High Walls of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Panels Used in Subway Stations
title_short Experimental Study on the Seismic Performance of Confined High Walls of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Panels Used in Subway Stations
title_sort experimental study on the seismic performance of confined high walls of autoclaved aerated concrete panels used in subway stations
topic seismic performance
prefabrication
AAC panels
cyclic testing
high panel assembled walls
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/3/416
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AT qidizhang experimentalstudyontheseismicperformanceofconfinedhighwallsofautoclavedaeratedconcretepanelsusedinsubwaystations
AT hanbao experimentalstudyontheseismicperformanceofconfinedhighwallsofautoclavedaeratedconcretepanelsusedinsubwaystations
AT yongyao experimentalstudyontheseismicperformanceofconfinedhighwallsofautoclavedaeratedconcretepanelsusedinsubwaystations
AT zhaoqiangzhang experimentalstudyontheseismicperformanceofconfinedhighwallsofautoclavedaeratedconcretepanelsusedinsubwaystations