Cyclic failure analysis of the beam-to-column dowel connections in precast industrial buildings

• Failure mechanism of dowel beam-to-column connections was grasped.
• Cyclic resistance is lower than monotonic due to the smaller depth of the plastic hinge.
• Neoprene bearing pad can considerably increase the strength of the connection.
• Large rotations between the beam and the column decreased the resistance for 15–20%.
• FEM tool has been provided for parametric analyses and post-earthquake studies.

The dowel type of the connection is the most common in Europe. However, the knowledge about its seismic behaviour was incomplete and poorly understood. To analyse the failure of dowel mechanism the numerical model in the FEA software ABAQUS was defined and calibrated using the results of the experimental investigations. Cyclic as well as monotonic response was analyzed. The most important observations are: (1) standard theory assuming that the failure mechanism is initiated by flexural yielding of the dowel and crushing of the surrounding concrete has been confirmed, (2) the strength of the connection considerably depends on the depth of the plastic hinge in the dowel, (3) in the case of the cyclic loading the strength is reduced due to the smaller depth of the plastic hinge, (4) neoprene bearing pad can considerably increase the strength of the connection, particularly when large relative displacements between the beam and the column are developed, and (5) in the case of large rotations between the beam and the column, cyclic resistance is reduced by 15–20%, because the dowel is loaded not only in flexure but also in tension.