Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Beams with Large- Diameter High-Strength Tension-Spliced Bars

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Title: Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Beams with Large- Diameter High-Strength Tension-Spliced Bars

Author(s): Yongjae Yu, Cheska Espanol, Elias I. Saqan, and Oguzhan Bayrak

Publication: Structural Journal

Volume: 122

Issue: 3

Appears on pages(s): 119-132

Keywords: crack width; development length; high-strength reinforcing bar; large-scale tests; reinforced concrete (RC) beam; tension lap splice

DOI: 10.14359/51742243

Date: 5/1/2025

Abstract:
Design codes such as ACI 318-19 and AASHTO LRFD permit the use of high-strength steel in specific provisions. Particularly, reinforcing bars with yield strength of 100 ksi (689 MPa) and size as large as No. 11 (No. 36) are permitted for use in tension lap splices. However, the test data using larger-diameter bars, especially No. 11 high-strength bars, is limited. In this study, four largescale reinforced concrete beams with No. 11 bars were tested in four-point bending. The beams were grouped in two groups: one used Grade 60 (420) steel while the other used Grade 100 (690) steel. Within each group, one beam had continuous bars, while the second beam had spliced bars. Test results showed that splicing No. 11 (No. 36) high-strength reinforcing bars had adequate load-carrying capacity; however, the crack width may not be adequate. Therefore, test results indicate that using No. 11 (No. 36) high-strength reinforcing bars in tension lap splice applications should be used with caution.

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