| Abstract: | Precast concrete panels form attractive facades for steel frame buildings and are generally regarded as non-structural by structural engineers. However, panels have been found to add lateral stiffness until their capacity or that of their connections is exceeded. Consequently, the computed dynamic response based on a model of the structural framing alone may be quite different from that experienced by the actual structure. As a case study, the influence of precast concrete panels on lateral and torsional stiffness of a 25-storey building was investigated. The effect of cladding on dynamic properties and linear seismic response was explored by varying panel stiffness. Cladding stiffness was added to the bare frame model until analytical frequency values matched vibration test results. Then, using the cladding stiffness values obtained, an accidental eccentricity between centres of mass and rigidity at each floor level was imposed and linear seismic response computed. Torsional response effects were increased substantially. Finally, a modified cladding panel connection was developed based on previously-reported studies for panelized construction. The influence of the proposed connection on overall structural response was determined for different ground motion inputs. |
