P recast concrete structures are used worldwide because of their shorter construction time, cost effectiveness, and better plant control of structural elements and materials compared with cast-in-place concrete structures. In Italy, the most common applications of precast concrete buildings are industrial warehouses and commercial malls. The typical structural layout of these buildings consists of cantilever columns connected by simply supported precast, prestressed concrete beams that support

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... restressed concrete roof elements. The columns are inserted and grouted in place in isolated precast concrete socket foundations. This structural layout reduces construction time and is cost effective. However, this effectiveness could be compromised for construction in seismic regions, especially if the design follows the capacity design rule. The design of column footings is based on the assumption that a plastic hinge may develop at the column base in an earthquake event, while capacity design is used to prevent the formation of an inelastic mechanism in the footing. The latter goal is achieved by considering the bending moment associated with the column base flexural capacity acting on the foundation amplified by an overstrength factor. Following this design approach, the foundation base becomes large, ■ Experimental tests on the cyclic behavior of column-to-foundation subassemblies were conducted to compare the response of grouted sleeve connections with those of cast-in-place and pocket-foundation connections. ■ Confinement by the grouted sleeves inhibited buckling of the longitudinal reinforcement and increased the compressive strength of the grout. ■ The damage was localized to the column base, allowing easier postseismic column repair compared with traditional connections.