Moment Redistribution in Precast Concrete Frame

Three full-size precast concrete gabled frames were tested to destruction. These frames were instrumented and tested to determine the amount of moment redistribution that occurred at high overload. Each frame was 40-ft wide and 18-ft high. High strength reinforcement was used. An increase in capacity of about 30% beyond the computed yield load was measured. Capacities implied by three well-known limit design procedures were compared with test loads. In addition, test loads were compared with those predicted by an analysis based on actual material properties, compatibility of deformations and equilibrium of forces. These comparisons indicate that several limit design procedures provide a satisfactory prediction of load capacity of the test frames.