Effect of casting joint position on structural behavior of beams by HSC and SCHSC: experimental and numerical analysis

Abstract High-strength concrete (HSC) and self-compacting high-strength concrete (SCHSC) are increasingly used in modern construction. This study investigates the effect of different construction joint positions on their mechanical properties and structural behavior. Understanding the influence of joint orientation and location is essential for ensuring the safety and durability of structural elements. Therefore, studying construction joints is crucial for improving design guidelines and optimizing construction practices. In HSC, joints were placed at 0°, 45°, and 90° at midspan and horizontally at mid-height, while in SCHSC, they were located horizontally at 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% of the specimen height. Experimental tests on compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and load–deflection response were performed alongside numerical analysis using Abaqus. Results showed that construction joints reduced the load capacity of HSC beams by 13.02% (horizontal) and 17.56% (angled), and of SCHSC beams by 6.70%, 11.22%, and 17.38% at 75%, 50%, and 25% heights, respectively. Finite element models demonstrated close agreement with experiments, with discrepancies below 6.3%. The study provides new insights into the structural performance of HSC and SCHSC beams with construction joints.