Paper Title
Enhancing Precast Beam-Column Joint Performance through Dry Mechanical Connections: An FEA Investigation

Abstract
Precast construction offers accelerated project delivery and enhanced quality, though its efficacy is contingent upon the reliability of beam-column connections. This research investigates the structural performance of precast beam-column joints utilizing various dry mechanical connection types and engineered materials. Finite element analysis was employed to compare four precast models with a monolithic model under staticloading conditions. The influence of shear connectors, dowel bars, and cleat angles on connection behavior was assessed. Results indicate that while precast connections generally exhibit greater deflections relative to monolithic counterparts, the incorporation of Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) altered this trend. Stress levels were consistently elevated under static loading for most joint configurations, with exceptions noted in joints incorporating shear connectors and dowel bars at the beam-column interface. These findings underscore the critical role of connection details and material selection in optimizing precast structural performance. Keywords - Precast concrete, beam-column connection, dry connection, finite element analysis, engineering materials, static analysis