Title: Cyclic Shear Behavior of Connection between Precast Beam and Deck with Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete

Author(s): D.L. Araujo and M.K. El Debs

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 229

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 371-388

Keywords: connection; cyclic shear load; precast concrete; steel fiber-reinforced concrete

DOI: 10.14359/14748

Date: 9/1/2005

Abstract:
The connection between precast beam and deck is formed by steel bar associated with a shear key. The steel bar is bent in hoop form and is inserted in the pocket in deck, which is filled by cast-in-place concrete. The strength of cast-in-place concrete varied from 65 MPa to 90 MPa, and a maximum volume of 1.50 % short steel fibers was added. The tests were carried out in push-out specimens submitted to three stages of no reversed cyclic load. Connections submitted to 40% of their ultimate strength show lower shear stiffness degradation when steel fibers were added. After twenty cycles of loading and unloading, the connection with fibers still maintained 85% of its initial stiffness, whereas the connection without fibers retained only 75% of its initial stiffness. The volume of fibers did not influence the stiffness degradation due to void in the cast-in-place concrete introduced by fibers. The diameter of the connector had little influence on the stiffness degradation, independent of the presence of the fibers. The addition of 1.5% of fibers to the concrete cast in the pockets also increased the ultimate shear strength of the connection up to 42% when connector of 12.5 mm diameter was used.