Cyclic response of ventilated precast shear walls with emphasis on sleeve connection efficiency

Precast concrete walls are widely used in modular construction due to their speed of assembly and structural efficiency. However, the presence and size of openings can significantly influence their seismic performance. This study investigates the effect of opening dimensions on the seismic behavior of precast wall specimens subjected to cyclic lateral loading, with a focus on failure mechanisms, hysteretic response, load capacity, and deformability. Two groups of specimens were evaluated: Group A with precast wall (PW-6) 600 mm wide and Group B (PW-4) with 400 mm wide. The experimental results revealed a three-stage failure mechanism, where Group A experienced pronounced diagonal cracking due to reduced confinement, while Group B showed more localized crushing near the opening edges. Hysteresis behavior indicated greater pinching and reduced energy dissipation in Group A, whereas Group B exhibited fuller loops with better energy absorption. Group A's initial stiffness of 25.6 kN/mm declined to 9.8 kN/mm at failure, while Group B maintained higher stiffness retention and achieved a 12% higher peak lateral load. Ductility ratios were also superior in Group B compared to Group A, highlighting the critical role of confinement and detailing. The objective of this study is to quantify the influence of opening size on seismic response, and the methodology involved reduced-scale cyclic testing of precast wall panels with consistent reinforcement but varying opening widths. The findings provide valuable design insight for enhancing the seismic resilience of precast walls in high-risk zones.