Reinforced concrete joints between prestressed concrete members

Abstract

Summary The practice has developed in recent years of constructing statically indeterminate prestressed concrete structures by applying connecting restraints to two or more statically determinate prestressed concrete members. The present paper discusses a joint that may be used to convert two or more simply supported prestressed concrete beams into a continuous beam by joining them together over the supports. This joint utilizes unprestressed continuity steel contained within the crosssection of the continuous beam. Alternative designs for such a joint are proposed and examined for suitability in fulfilling the necessary functions. Some remarks are added on the design of composite continuous beams. Tests are reported on five two-span composite beams each made from two post-tensioned, grouted beams. The ratio of the ultimate moments of resistance of the critical sections was varied. The tests demonstrated the essentially satisfactory nature of the proposed joint.