Experimental Evaluation of Shear Strength of an Innovative Splice for Prestressed Precast Concrete Girders

Abstract

This paper describes shear laboratory testing of a joint design for spliced, prestressed precast I-girders. Although the connection is not intended to be placed at locations of high shear, the potential for shear-type failures was investigated. Shear testing of the spliced beam specimens is described and behavior is compared with calculated strength. The location of the unbonded strand was shown to affect the failure behavior. In the one specimen that did exhibit the characteristics of a shear failure, the vertical interface of the dry joint/closure pour was the location of failure. The ultimate shear capacity of the spliced specimens exceeded the calculated shear strength calculated per modified compression field theory and per the traditional simplified provisions. All specimens demonstrated flexural capacity exceeding calculated values, assuming an either bonded or unbonded strand. A companion paper describes flexural static and fatigue laboratory testing of the new connection.