Cracking analysis of members connected by grouted splice sleeves under axial tension

Abstract

Precast bridge columns (PBCs) connected by grouted splice sleeves (GSSs) are important in accelerated bridge construction. To determine the specific crack mechanism of GSS joints and to ensure the serviceability and durability of PBCs, 13 specimens, each divided into two segments and connected by GSSs, were designed and subjected to axial tension. Owing to the presence of GSSs, each specimen could be divided into three regions—respective joint, sleeve, and no-sleeve regions—with different axial tensile stiffness. Consequently, four critical sections (joint, no-sleeve, bar stop, and GSS top sections) cracked successively in sequence from the smallest axial tensile stiffness to the largest. After analysing the cracking process and internal force redistribution laws of the specimens, the crack mechanisms of the critical sections were examined separately, and further used to deduce the formulae for calculating the crack widths of the critical sections. The predictions from the calculation results of this study were compared with the test results and showed good agreement, which, in turn, confirmed the rationality of the proposed crack mechanisms.