Experimental and numerical investigation on the vertical bearing behavior of discrete connected new-type precast reinforced concrete floor system

This article proposes a new type of discrete connected precast reinforced concrete diaphragm floor system that consists of precast flat slabs and slab joint connectors. An experimental investigation of discrete connected new-type precast reinforced concrete diaphragm under a vertical distributed static load was conducted, and the effect of slab joint connectors on the load-bearing capacity was evaluated. Then, a finite element analysis of discrete connected new-type precast reinforced concrete diaphragm, precast reinforced concrete floors without slab connectors, and cast-in-situ reinforced concrete floor were performed to understand their working mechanism and determine the differences in load-bearing behavior. The results indicate that the load-bearing capacity and stiffness of discrete connected new-type precast reinforced concrete diaphragm increase considerably as the hairpin and cover plate hybrid slab joint connectors can efficiently connect adjacent precast slabs and enable them to work together under a vertical load by transmitting the shear and moment forces in the orthogonal slab laying direction. The deflection of discrete connected new-type precast reinforced concrete diaphragm in orthogonal slab laying direction is mainly caused by the opening deformation of the slab joint and the rotational deformation of the precast slabs. This flexural deformation feature can provide reference for establishing the bending stiffness analytical model of discrete connected new-type precast reinforced concrete diaphragm in orthogonal slab laying direction, which is vitally important for foundation of the vertical bearing capacity and deformation calculation method. The deflection and crack distribution patterns infer that the discrete connected new-type precast reinforced concrete diaphragm processes the deformation characteristic of two-way slab floor, which can provide a basis for the theoretical analysis of discrete connected new-type precast reinforced concrete diaphragm.