Аннотация:Major advances have been observed in the last decade in seismic engineering with further refinements of performance-based seismic design philosophies and definition of corresponding compliance criteria. Following the worldwide recognized expectation and ideal aim to provide a modern society with high seismic performance structures, able to sustain a design level earthquake with limited or negligible damage, emerging solutions have been developed for high-performance, still cost-effective, seismic resisting systems, based on adequate combination of traditional materials and available technology. In this paper, an overview of recent developments and on-going research on precast concrete buildings with jointed ductile connections, relying on the use of unbonded post-tensioned tendons with self-centering capabilities, is given. A critical discussion on the conceptual behavior, design criteria and modeling aspects is carried out along with an update on current trends in major international seismic code provisions to incorporate these emerging systems. Examples of existing on site applications based on a recently developed cable-stayed and suspended solution for frame systems are provided as further confirmation of the easy constructability and speed of erection of the overall system.
