Our faculty member, Assoc. Prof. Reşat Atalay Oyguç, took part in a research collaboration that led to a recent publication titled “Enhancing Seismic Repairability of Precast RC Frames Through an Innovative Replaceable Plastic Hinge Technology.” The article focuses on improving the seismic repairability and overall performance of precast reinforced concrete (PRC) frames through a novel hinge system.

The study introduces a replaceable plastic hinge—artificially controllable plastic hinge (ACPH)—designed to concentrate damage in a detachable steel subassembly, preserving the integrity of main structural elements and facilitating rapid post-earthquake repair.

Numerical analysis under a segment of the Mw 7.7 Kahramanmaraş ground motion showed that ACPH connections reduce peak base shear, prevent cracking at critical joints, and enhance ductility. Validation through previous tests confirmed its superior performance compared to conventional methods.

This innovation offers a practical, cost-effective solution to improve the seismic resilience of substandard precast structures.

To read the full article: https://doi.org/10.3390/app15105629