Experimental study demonstrates that unintended rebar overstrength increases damage in reinforced concrete columns with deficient splices, suggesting the need for revised seismic detailing.
This paper presents experimental tests on concrete columns with lap-spliced steel bars under reversed cyclic loading. Actual yield strength exceeded nominal values by up to 37%, causing splice length underestimation by up to 66% and affecting behavior, particularly in columns with low transverse reinforcement where spalling and longitudinal splitting occurred. Columns with higher transverse reinforcement showed less damage and similar ductility. Although load-carrying capacity estimates were generally adequate, none of the columns exceeded the rotation capacity predicted by design codes for deficient splices. An analytical method was proposed to estimate plastic rotation capacity and showed good agreement with experimental results.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Khan et al. (2026) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: