Grouted sleeve connections used in precast reinforced concrete construction - Experimental investigation of a column-to-column joint

The results of an experimental campaign concerning full-scale tests on precast reinforced concrete column-to-column connections made with grouted sleeve splices are presented. The precast column units had a square cross-section with the side of 500 mm. Eight 20 mm-diameter bars protruding from one unit were grouted into corrugated steel sleeves encased in the other unit. The column-to-column connections were subjected to four monotonic tests (axial tension, bending with and without axial compression, and shear) and to one cyclic bending test. In the tension test failure took place far from the interface between the precast units and highlighted the effectiveness of the stress transfer along the splice region. In all other tests, damage developed at the interface between the two units. In the bending tests with and without axial compression significant over-strengths with respect to design resistances computed for equally-reinforced monolithic members were attained. Because of the reduced thickness of the interface between the precast units, the rotation that concentrated at the interface led to a moderate reduction of the global bending stiffness. In the shear test the pure shear capacity of the bars crossing the joint was achieved. The cyclic bending test showed a ductile and stable hysteretic behavior of the connection.