Abstract
The joints of precast concrete segmental beams (PCSBs), which are in complex stress status and susceptible to failure, are very important parts of the structure. In this paper, a finite element model was established to study the shear performance of single-keyed joints. The plastic damage model was used to simulate the cracking of specimens. Three types of single-keyed joints were investigated, including the dry joint with normal concrete (NC), dry joint with steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC), and epoxied joint with NC. The cracking pattern, ultimate shear strength, and load-displacement curve for these specimens were obtained. Based on these numerical simulation models, extended analyses in terms of low confining pressures and eccentric loads were performed. It has been found that the influence of fiber-reinforced concrete should be considered. The ultimate shear strength of specimens reduced with the reduction of confining pressure. When an eccentric load was applied, a lower shear capacity would be obtained. Under the low confining stress, the AASHTO LRFD 2014 provision underestimated the shear strength of single-keyed dry joints with both NC and SFRC, while the shear capacity of single-keyed dry joints with both NC and SFRC has been overestimated under the eccentric loads.
Highlights
Precast concrete segmental beams (PCSBs), which are assembled from precast segments through posttensioned prestressing, are becoming more and more popular in modern bridge construction
Previous studies have found that the shear behavior of joints in PCSBs was crucial for the safety of PCSBs
Dry joints and epoxy joints have many advantages, their shear performance is far inferior to that of monolithic joints [1]. erefore, it is significant to properly design keyed joints with better shear performance and better structure. e shear performance of joints has been investigated under the disadvantageous condition of low confining stress and eccentric loading
Summary
Precast concrete segmental beams (PCSBs), which are assembled from precast segments through posttensioned prestressing, are becoming more and more popular in modern bridge construction. When a larger eccentric load is applied, the additional bending moment formed by the eccentric load will be offset or even larger than that produced by horizontal restraint force In this case, the joint will be opened, which results in the decrease of the shear capacity of joints. Several investigations focused on the experimental and theoretical study of shear behavior of joints in PCSBs. e shear performance of epoxied joints was better than that of dry joints, even close to that of cast-in-place monolithic joints [1]. The existing experimental, theoretical, and numerical investigations mainly focused on dry joints, but there are few studies which focused on epoxied joints or dry joints with SFRC which have better shear resistance comparatively. In order to study the shear failure performance of joints under low horizontal confining pressure and eccentric loads, extended parametric analyses were performed. The parametric analysis results were compared with AASHTO provision. e results of this paper will provide important reference for experimental investigation, theoretical research, or engineering practice
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