Shear and flexural performance of an RPC wet joint in a prefabricated reinforced concrete structure

Abstract

The shear and flexural performance of prefabricated reinforced concrete (RC) beams with reactive powder concrete (RPC)-based wet joints were experimentally investigated. The influences of parameters such as RPC wet joint type (monolithic, diagonal joint, double-keyed joint, or single-keyed joints) and joint slope were comparatively explored. Five shear specimens and eight flexural specimens were manufactured and tested. The crack pattern, load-deflection relationship, load–strain relationships between the load and strain, shear strength, flexural capacity, and deflection were investigated. The direct shear test results indicated that a diagonal joint without shear steel rebar was optimal joint type. The RPC wet joints with shear steel rebar could improved the interface bonding force ductility. A shear strength calculation model was developed to evaluate the shear performance of wet joints, Moreover, the effect of joint type was considered. The four-point bending test results revealed that the cracking resistance levels of the diagonal joint and single-keyed joints of the prefabricated RC beams were greater than that of the castellated joint. The optimal joint slope between diagonal strut and vertical direction was 45°. Two improved analytical models were developed to estimate the flexural capacity and deflection levels of prefabricated RC beams with different joint types and slopes. The proposed analytical models adequately agreed with the test data.