Statistical analysis of the load-bearing capacity of reinforced concrete half-joints tested in laboratory conditions

Half-joints, critical elements in bridge structures, are prone to brittle failure and environmental degradation. The present work analyzes a comprehensive dataset of 127 experimental half-joint tests from taken from scientific literature and characterized by various geometrical features, material strengths, and reinforcement details, to identify key factors influencing their load-bearing capacity. Statistical analysis revealed that while slenderness ratio and concrete strength show no clear correlation with ultimate capacity, reinforcement significantly impacts performance, whereas longitudinal bars and stirrups demonstrate strong positive correlations with load-bearing capacity.