An Experimental Study on Precast Concrete Beam-to-Column Connection Using Interlocking Bars

A new type of precast concrete exterior beam-to-column connection is introduced in this paper. The connection consists of a precast U-beam, precast column with corbel, and interlocking bars to connect the precast column and precast beam; these bars, act as the flexural reinforcement to withstand the hogging and sagging moment subjected during testing. The beam-column joint was designed according to the strong column-weak beam principle. The static-monotonic loading was applied to the first specimen (P1), while a quasi-static loading based on displacement control was applied on the second specimen (P2). Tip deflection and specimen cracking were monitored during the tests. Plastic hinges were formed in the beam of both specimens. P1 has no significant cracks in the joint, while P2 has ‘X’ cracks in the joint but it was still deemed acceptable. The precast columns of both P1 and P2 were free from cracks. The connection met the acceptance criteria presented in ACI 374.1-05. The development length of the interlocking bars, i.e. 800 mm from the column face, was sufficient to transfer the load from the beam to the joints and columns