Prestressed concrete building construction using precast wall panels

This -paper describes the design and construction of multistory buildings using precast elements integrated into walls and floors by reinforcing steel and post-tensioning. Precast wall panels are connected to form structural walls by casting in place spandrel beams and columns using wall panels as forms. This transforms the usually inactive curtain walls into vertical and lateral load resisting elements. The response of these buildings to lateral forces is studied, first following building code requirements and then using catastrophic earthquake spectra. The advantages and problem areas of such construction are discussed.