Title: Cyclic Behavior of Columns with Short Lap Splices

Author(s): Murat Melek and John W. Wallace

Publication: Structural Journal

Volume: 101

Issue: 6

Appears on pages(s): 802-811

Keywords: bond; column; lap splice; rehabilitation; reinforced concrete; slip

DOI: 10.14359/13455

Date: 11/1/2004

Abstract:
Splices in reinforced concrete columns of older buildings were commonly designed as compression lap splices, which are typically only 20 to 24 bar diameters (db) long and enclosed within light transverse reinforcement. Observations of column damage following earthquakes have revealed that these splices perform poorly; however, relatively sparse information exists to assess the expected splice performance that hinders the development of efficient and cost-effective rehabilitation strategies. A research program was undertaken to subject full-scale cantilever columns with lap splices to constant axial load and reversed cyclic lateral displacements applied at the top of the column. Primary test variables included the level of axial load, the moment-to-shear ratio, and the loading history. Test results indicate that envelop lateral load versus lateral drift relations were quite insensitive to changes in axial load and shear demands less than Vn. The postpeak strength degradation, however, was most sensitive to the loading history.