Proceedings of the 6 th Asia-Pacific Structural Engineering and Construction Conference (APSEC 2006), 5 – 6 September 2006, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia A-281 HYBRID BEAM-TO-COLUMN CONNECTIONS FOR PRECAST CONCRETE FRAMES Ahmad Baharuddin Abd. Rahman, Dennis Chan Paul Leong, A. Aziz Saim, Mohd. Hanim Osman Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Skudai, Johor, Malaysia. ABSTRACT: The connections between precast concrete components play an important role in determining the successful of precast concrete framed structures. In particular, the connection between beam-to-column that will affect the load distribution, strength, stability and constructability of the global structure. The understanding on the behaviour of the connection is important and can only be assessed by conducting experimental tests. The main objective of this research is to investigate the moment of resistance and the behaviour of simple beam-to-column connections in precast concrete frames. The experimental test comprised a total of four specimens, which were limited to simple beam-to-column connections in precast concrete frames. The behaviour of load- displacement relationships, moment-rotation relationships and types of failure in connections are also investigated. Moreover, the development of safe, economical, simple and ductile precast beam-to-column connections conforming to building code requirements could be proposed. Keywords – beam-column frame; simple connections; precast concrete. 1. Introduction The introduction of Industrialized Building Systems (IBS) in Malaysia has highlighted the importance of precast concrete application in the modern construction industry. Furthermore, due to the high cost of structural steel sections, precast concrete construction has gained popularity with engineers and architects. The success of precast concrete buildings depends on the connections of the components in particular beam-to-column connections. Typical precast beam-to-column connection details that are recommended by the Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) have indicated one or more disadvantages, such as slow erection, no reliable moment capacity, construction tolerance problem and expansive connection hardware [1]. According to Elliot et al. (1998), some 24 tests had been conducted using welded plate and billet connectors, however, research on the concrete corbel with stiffened cleat types have not widely carried out. Although the Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) manual contains descriptions of typical beam-to-column connections fulfilling many functions, the published test results are available for only a few of them [2]. Therefore there is still lacking of experimental data for the ductile connection details for beam-to-column connection in precast structure. In addition, reliable connection behaviour can only be properly assessed by laboratory testing or proven performance [2]. 2. Research Objective The main objectives of this research are as follows: i. To determine the moment of resistance of beam-to-column connections in precast concrete frames ii. To study the behaviour of beam-to-column connections.