Optimization and verification of seismic performance of new prefabricated reinforced concrete beam column joints

Optimization and verification of seismic performance of new prefabricated reinforced concrete beam column joints | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Optimization and verification of seismic performance of new prefabricated reinforced concrete beam column joints Lin Guo This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9473154/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract In order to solve the problem of insufficient seismic performance of traditional prefabricated joints (purpose), the author proposes a new method for optimizing and verifying the seismic performance of prefabricated reinforced concrete beam column joints. The paper proposes an innovative wet node construction form, which combines steel strand anchoring with additional steel bars in the core area. The seismic performance of 8 prefabricated node specimens and 1 cast-in-place node specimen was compared and analyzed through a combination of experiments and numerical simulations. In the experimental design, three Ø 12.7mm embossed anchoring steel strands are used as the main reinforcement at the bottom of the beam, and two Ø 18mm HRB400 steel bars are added to the core area. The concrete strength is C40 and the axial compression ratio is 0.3. Through cyclic loading tests, the hysteresis curve, stiffness degradation, and energy dissipation coefficient of the nodes were measured and analyzed. The experimental results show that the new prefabricated node exhibits good seismic performance. A plastic hinge is formed at the end of the beam, and only a small number of intersecting cracks appear in the core area. Compared with cast-in-place nodes, prefabricated nodes have considerable stiffness. The addition of steel bars significantly improves the hysteresis behavior of nodes, making the hysteresis loop more full. In terms of energy dissipation, prefabricated nodes perform better than cast-in-place nodes in the later stage. The setting of additional steel bars also effectively delays the degradation of node stiffness. To further optimize node performance, the paper established a finite element model for parameter analysis. The model uses C3D8R elements to simulate concrete, T3D2 elements to simulate steel bars, and introduces a concrete damage plastic constitutive model. Through parameter optimization, it is recommended to increase the diameter of the additional reinforcement in the core area to 20mm to improve stiffness and bearing capacity, add replaceable metal dampers at the beam end to enhance energy dissipation capacity, and control the axial compression ratio not to exceed 0.3. Conclusion: The paper has verified the excellent seismic performance of the new prefabricated beam column joint, providing technical support for the application of prefabricated buildings in high-intensity earthquake zones. Prefabricated building Beam column nodes Seismic performance Steel strand anchoring Finite Element Analysis Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9473154","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":629902044,"identity":"24ef5f15-f8f2-4007-8252-1e019a93e60e","order_by":0,"name":"Lin Guo","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAAuUlEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACA2YGxg8MDDZ2/MzMBx8Qq4VZgoEhLVmynS3ZgDgtDAxsQOoQ44bzPGYCxGlh5z3GzFNxgNn4MIMZA0ONTTQRDuNLY+Y5c4fP7DBD2gOGY2m5DYS18JhZ87Y9YwZqOW7A2HCYOC3SvG2HGTc3M7ZJkKZlAzMzG9FajCXnnElLljjMxmyQQIxf7PvPGH54UwGMyv7zHx98qLEhrAUVJJCmfBSMglEwCkYBLgAAQqI2AbRP4M8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"","institution":"HeBei Vocational College of Rail Transportation","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Lin","middleName":"","lastName":"Guo","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-04-20 13:53:22","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9473154/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9473154/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":108806029,"identity":"b7a94ec6-6f48-432a-95ad-e1cd41528dce","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-05-08 15:27:31","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":458343,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9473154/v1_covered_77abde43-5a8f-4316-9bfd-a664c59786c2.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Optimization and verification of seismic performance of new prefabricated reinforced concrete beam column joints","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Prefabricated building, Beam column nodes, Seismic performance, Steel strand anchoring, Finite Element Analysis","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9473154/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9473154/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eIn order to solve the problem of insufficient seismic performance of traditional prefabricated joints (purpose), the author proposes a new method for optimizing and verifying the seismic performance of prefabricated reinforced concrete beam column joints. The paper proposes an innovative wet node construction form, which combines steel strand anchoring with additional steel bars in the core area. The seismic performance of 8 prefabricated node specimens and 1 cast-in-place node specimen was compared and analyzed through a combination of experiments and numerical simulations. In the experimental design, three Ø 12.7mm embossed anchoring steel strands are used as the main reinforcement at the bottom of the beam, and two Ø 18mm HRB400 steel bars are added to the core area. The concrete strength is C40 and the axial compression ratio is 0.3. Through cyclic loading tests, the hysteresis curve, stiffness degradation, and energy dissipation coefficient of the nodes were measured and analyzed. The experimental results show that the new prefabricated node exhibits good seismic performance. A plastic hinge is formed at the end of the beam, and only a small number of intersecting cracks appear in the core area. Compared with cast-in-place nodes, prefabricated nodes have considerable stiffness. The addition of steel bars significantly improves the hysteresis behavior of nodes, making the hysteresis loop more full. In terms of energy dissipation, prefabricated nodes perform better than cast-in-place nodes in the later stage. The setting of additional steel bars also effectively delays the degradation of node stiffness. To further optimize node performance, the paper established a finite element model for parameter analysis. The model uses C3D8R elements to simulate concrete, T3D2 elements to simulate steel bars, and introduces a concrete damage plastic constitutive model. Through parameter optimization, it is recommended to increase the diameter of the additional reinforcement in the core area to 20mm to improve stiffness and bearing capacity, add replaceable metal dampers at the beam end to enhance energy dissipation capacity, and control the axial compression ratio not to exceed 0.3.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConclusion: The paper has verified the excellent seismic performance of the new prefabricated beam column joint, providing technical support for the application of prefabricated buildings in high-intensity earthquake zones.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Optimization and verification of seismic performance of new prefabricated reinforced concrete beam column joints","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-04-30 22:50:40","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9473154/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"70bc73aa-e914-45d1-87d6-07ae6d92c092","owner":[],"postedDate":"April 30th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[{"type":"decision","content":"Rejected","date":"2026-05-07T15:58:03+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-07T00:36:12+00:00","index":24,"fulltext":""}],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-05-07T16:10:40+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-04-30 22:50:40","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-9473154","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-9473154","identity":"rs-9473154","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}