Behavior of RC beams with tension lap splices confined with transverse reinforcement using different types of concrete under pure bending

Abstract

Many research studies have been carried out on the different parameters affecting the bond strength of tension lap splices in RC beams but limited attention has been given to the effect of using transverse reinforcement along the splice length. The first part of this research is an experimental program which consisted of sixteen reinforced concrete beams tested at the concrete laboratory of the Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University. The parameters under study herein are the diameter of the transverse reinforcement as well as its shape and distribution while using three different types of concrete. The beams were all simply supported with 1800mmspan and 150×250mm cross section. The tensile steel was spliced in the constant moment zone. The second part of the research consisted of an analytical study to enhance the understanding of the topic of this research. Three-dimensional nonlinear finite element analysis was carried with the help of the well-known finite element software; ABAQUS. The concrete damaged plasticity model is selected at this study because it is capable of representing the complete inelastic behavior of concrete both in tension and in compression including damage characteristics. The analytical and experimental results were compared and contrasted. Good agreement was obtained.