Shaking table test for dimension stone cladding with dowel pin connection

Under earthquake loads, economic loss and threatening human casualties can occur owing to fallouts of exterior cladding stones in buildings. In this study, a shaking table test was performed to investigate the seismic capacity and demand of stone cladding with pin connections. Two reinforced concrete structures attached to dowel-pinned stone panels were tested under ground motion to simulate actual earthquake conditions. A total of 19 combinations of stone panels were used to address the major parameters for the construction of dimension stone claddings in practice. The test results showed that in most of the specimens, pull-out failure of the pin connection occurred prior to the stone breakout failure, resulting in stone fallout. The seismic demand for stone panels without an insulator was significantly less than the seismic capacity, showing a capacity-to-demand ratio of 4.00–12.60. However, the capacity-to-demand ratio was 0.37–2.66 in the case of stone panel details with an insulator but without a supporter, indicating that special care is necessary for those details. Based on the test results, design and specification recommendations were proposed for stone panels with dowel pin connections.