Effect of Vertical Construction Joint on the Structural Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Beam Made of Self-Compacting Concrete
Yukikazu TSUJI, Takafumi SUGIYAMA and Chikanori HASHIMOTO
Abstract:Self-compacting concrete has an unique characteristic which may influence on the flexural and/or shear strength of a reinforced concrete beam with vertical construction joint. In this research vertical construction joint was intended to be present either in the mid-span of the beam or in the middle of the shear span. Crack initiation loads, the crack width, failure loads and failure modes were investigated. With the vertical construction joint present in the mid-span the crack initiation load was reduced to 60 % of that of a control beam without joint. In addition, increased loads resulted in the substantial increase of the crack width. On the other hand, flexural crack formed at the construction joint in the middle of the shear span with lower loads leading to the shear failure with about 75 % of the ultimate load of a control beam with an equal steel ratio. Key Words:Self-compacting concrete, Construction joints, Reinforced concrete beam, Flexural cracks, Shear failure