Durable Fiber Reinforced Polymer Bar Splice Connections for Precast Concrete Structures

摘要

The goal of this research was to develop and test alternative methods for connecting precast concrete structural members with non-metallic FRP components. Durable and non-corrosive FRP connection details were developed to be efficient and economical alternatives to current steel precast connection methods. Prototypes of FRP bar splice connections using FRP tube couplers were constructed and tested for proof of concept. Spliced FRP rebar specimens were tested in tension until failure which occurred as a result of either tube bursting, bar slip or bar rupture depending on embedment length and splice confinement. Based on laboratory experimentation it was determined that the bond stress of FRP rebar could not be reliably increased through tube splice confinement, and that a sufficient embedment length was required to develop the full tensile capacity of the FRP bars in the FRP tubes.