Behavior of reinforced concrete beams under different angled cold joints at shear zone

Abstract

Concrete casting of interconnected structural elements such as columns and beams should be made in one piece during the construction stage of reinforced concrete structures. However, cold joints occur when concrete casting is incomplete due to variety reasons. Cold joint is a manufacturing defect that causes adherence weakness at the concrete interface as a result of casting concrete at different times. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of different angled cold joints in the shear zone on the behaviour and load carrying capacity of 4 point loaded beams under bending. For this aim, seven 1/2 scaled RC beam specimens having dimensions 150x300x3000 mm with different cold joint angles and with and without additional reinforcement at cold joints were tested. Load-Displacement curves, Yield Load, Maximum Load, Maximum Displacement, Ductility, Stiffness and Energy Dissipation Capacities of the specimens were compared.