Influence of connections modeling on the seismic behaviour of industrial buildings

Many industrial buildings with a precast concrete structure have been designed in accordance with non-seismic provisions by considering only gravity loads or, in some other cases, in accordance with not adequate seismic detailing requirements .In particular, seismic events that occurred in the recent past have shown that the connections between the main structural elements play an important role on the dynamic and seismic behaviour of the pre-cast concrete structure. Nowadays, the more advanced technical standards require mechani-cal connections between the precast elements; however codes do not furnish exhaustive information about the design and modelling of these connections neither in the seismic vul-nerability assessment of existing buildings nor in the design of new constructions.