Abstract:
The development of novel precast structures adapted to intelligent construction technologies is a current research focus. This study introduces a self-supporting precast concrete column with a mortise-tenon joint, eliminating the need for lateral bracing on-site. Cyclic tests were conducted on two monolithic concrete specimens and five precast concrete specimens to investigate the effects of the axial compression ratio, the location of the joint and the grout. Results demonstrated that the mortise-tenon joints remained elastic throughout the loading process, and the failure was characterized by concrete crushing and rebar buckling. Compared with the monolithic specimens, the precast specimens exhibited improved load-bearing capacity, deformation performance and ductility. Positioning the joint in the middle of the column enhanced the deformation capacity and ductility, though its effect on load-bearing capacity was limited; placing the joint at the column base significantly increased the load-bearing capacity but accelerated strength degradation. All specimens showed similar energy dissipation under cyclic loading, with consistent trends in equivalent viscous damping ratios relative to drift. Finally, the performance differences between the specimens with and without grout were minimal, suggesting that the post-assembly construction of precast columns can proceed without grouting in practical applications.