Quantitative evaluation of fatigue life for connection with rebar joint between precast PC slabs under wheel-type loads

Abstract

In this study, mechanical characteristics and fatigue life of precast concrete slab connection with rebar joint is examined. Authors conducted 3D nonlinear finite element analyses of beam models which have joint reinforcing bars with head anchor, and it was found that shear capacity of the member increases because the compression stress is introduced around main reinforcing bars by pulling joint reinforcing bars in direction of distributing bars. Finally, fatigue life of the connection with rebar joint can be predicted by considering the confinement effect in the fatigue life prediction method for RC and PC slabs proposed by authors.