Experimental Behavior and Design of Steel Plate Composite-to-Reinforced Concrete Lap Splice Connections

Steel-plate composite (SC) walls can be anchored to reinforced concrete (RC) foundations or connected to RC walls using lap-splice connections. These lap-splice connections consist of steel rebar or dowels that are fully developed (Ld) in the RC portion and embedded (Lemb) in the SC wall. Tension forces are transferred from the steel faceplates of the SC wall to the steel rebar or dowels using stud anchors and ties welded to the steel faceplates. The efficiency-of-force transfer depends on the dowel embedment length (Lemb), the number of stud anchors and ties engaged (n), the eccentricity or distance between the steel faceplates and dowel bars (α), and the tie bar reinforcement ratio (ρt). This paper presents the results of experimental investigations conducted in Japan and in the United States to evaluate the pullout (tension) strength and ductility of these lap-splice connections. The parameters included in the tests were Lemb, n, α, and ρt. The effects of eccentricity (offset distance between dowel bars and steel faceplates) on the axial tension behavior of SC-to-RC lap-splice connections were also investigated. Detailed numerical models were developed to gain additional insight into the behavior and force transfer in lap-splice connections. The results from the experimental and numerical investigations were used to propose design and detailing recommendations for lap-splice connections.