A PRECAST BEAM CONNECTION

DESIGNED FOR SHEAR

AND AXIAL LOAD

Robert Loov
Assistant Professor
The University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

The principal load that must be minimum of connection material,

resisted by a beam connection is fabrication and welding; the cost of
simply the dead and live load on engineering, production and erec-
the beam resulting from the effects tion must also be considered. High
of gravity. Unless special provision costs of engineering can be reduced
is made however, axial forces may if the design is simplified and the
develop that are of significant mag- connections standardized. The cost
nitude 11 ). These axial forces arise of production can be kept low by
through two major causes: changes avoiding interference with the de-
of length resulting from shrinkage, tailing and placement of the rein-
temperature change or creep; or forcing bars and concrete, and by
horizontal loads such as earthquake requiring only simple alterations to
or wind loads. Many connection the formwork. Because of the high
failures can be traced directly to a cost of erection crane rental, a major
neglect of these axial forces. Since cost saving can be achieved if the
the capacity of a connection may be connection allows simple and speedy
markedly reduced by the applica- erection procedures under the ex-
tion of axial loads( 2' 3 ), it is apparent pected climatic conditions.
that all connection designs should
DESIGN APPROACH
include a consideration of them; load
tests should determine the effect of Fig. 1 shows the main features
axial as well as transverse forces. of a connection which was designed
A connection must be economical for both transverse and axial loads
in addition to providing the required with the consideration of economy
capacity to resist the various com- in mind. The connection is located
binations of load that may occur. at the top of the beam, so that the
To achieve economy it is not suffi- beam is stable as soon as it is placed
cient to design the connection for a on its supports. Rapid erection is
12 PCI Journal
Tests were conducted to determine the behavior, ultimate
capacity and design criteria for a simplified connection for
precast concrete beams. The tests simulated the axial force
which is developed in a beam due to shrinkage or
temperature changes or to wind or earthquake loads.
It was concluded that the behavior of the connection was
satisfactory at both service load and ultimate load; that it
can be simply designed and appears to be economical
when compared to connections presently being used.

possible as the erection crane can the reinforcing bars can be deter-
be released immediately. The con- mined directly from statics; note
nection slips inside the normal re- that the three forces, V. TI and C
inforcing cage thereby minimizing act concurrently. For vertical equi-
production costs. The weight of con-
nection material and fabrication
costs are low as the forces are trans- e tlG
•a .
ferred directly into the beam.
Fig. 2 shows the forces acting on
the connection plate. The forces in ° c

. 0 •e
I ^ O

e o
\

I \\ F
H ^^ . s ^. TH
d 2

f. 0
d TI
V
Tv
TI cos B =V TI= V
cos B
C T= sin ... C=V tan 0

F=H

Fig. 1. Basic features of the connec- Fig. 2. Forces acting on the connec-
tion tion plate
June 1968 13
librium the vertical reaction, V, TESTING PROGRAM
must be equal to the vertical com-
In order to determine whether the
ponent in the inclined bars, T. The
proposed design assumptions were
force, TI, in the inclined bars must
justified, two series of tests were
therefore be V/cos 30 0 = 1.15 V for
carried out. Series 1 included four
the assumed slope of 30° from the
connections of different capacities
vertical. For horizontal equilibrium
(L-14-4.5-4, L-21-5-5, L-30-5.5-6, L-
the compressive force in the con-
42-6-7) incorporating bars ranging
crete, C, must be equal to the hori-
in size from No. 4 to No. 7 in order
zontal component of force in the
to develop nominal ultimate capac-
inclined bars, T11. The force, C, is
ities ranging from 14 kips to 42 kips.
therefore equal to Tr sin 30° = V
tan 30° = 0.58 V. The axial reac- The first number in the connection
tion, H, is resisted directly by the number is the ultimate capacity in
force in the horizontal bar, F, there- kips (based on f, of 40 ksi), the sec-
fore F = H. ond is the depth of the connection
In addition to its major purpose plate (in.), and the third is the
of resisting the axial load, the hori- size of the reinforcing bars. Two
zontal bar is necessary to ensure additional connections (L-42-6-7-5,
that slight inaccuracies in the loca- L-42-6-7-7) were tested to determine
tions of the reactions and small di- the effect of adding compressive re-
mensional variations will not destroy inforcement to transfer the com-
the equilibrium of the connection. pressive force to the beam. The
The design is based on ultimate added number indicates the size of
loads and on the nominal yield the compressive reinforcement.
strength of the reinforcing bars. The This series of six connections was
bearing strength of the concrete at tested with only a transverse reaction
ultimate is based on the equation applied to the connections. Measure-
developed by Kriz and Raths «> ments of the rotation and slip of the
connections were made using dial
gages bearing against the top of the
f% = 69^/f" (S /w)iia
connection and the beam. The strain
where fb= concrete bearing at several locations along the rein-
strength forcing bars was measured using
f'= concrete cylinder electrical resistance gages cemented
strength to the bars. The development of
s = distance from the cen-
cracks in the concrete was observed
ter of the bearing plate
using an illuminated magnifying
to the edge of the con-
glass. At each loading stage the lo-
crete (4-in, for an 8-in.
cation of new cracks was marked
beam)
with a felt tipped pen. A small tick
w = width of the bearing
mark was placed across the line to
plate (1-in, for the con-
mark the end of the crack, and the
nection tested)
test load registered on the testing
This equation predicts strengths machine (long tons) was printed be-
higher than f ' due to the restrain- side it to provide a complete record
ing effect of adjacent concrete. A of crack development.
design example is shown in the The dimensions of the connec-
Appendix. tions and the locations of the strain
14 PCI Journal
gages are shown in Fig. 3. The di- stirrup spacing was varied to deter-
mensions of the test beams are mine its effect on the capacity. The
shown in Fig. 4. A photograph of wider spacing was determined by
connection L-42-6-7-7 before instal- using the ACI 318-63 code provisions
lation is shown in Fig. 5. (disregarding 0 since these were test
The second series of tests included beams, but including the effect of
ten connections, all of the same de- axial forces). Additional stirrups
sign. Four connections (L-35-6-6A, were placed in one end of each
L-35-6-6B, L-35-6-6C, L-35-6-6D) beam to ensure the required shear
were tested with no axial reaction, capacity in the event that the shear
i.e., H/V = 0. Two connections (L- strength was lower than anticipated.
35-6-6E, L-35-6-6F) were tested with The connections used in Series 2
an axial reaction equal to ^ of the are detailed in Fig. 11. Strain gages
transverse reaction, i.e., H/V = 3/4; were placed on the reinforcing bars
two connections (L-35-6-6G, L-35-6- 1'/2 in. from the plate in order to
6H) were tested with H/V = 7/2; and determine the force in the bars dur-
two connections (L-35-6-6J, L-35-6- ing testing. The forces, TI and F,
6K) were tested with H/V = r/4. were thus determined based directly
In order to develop an axial re- on the measured strains in the rein-
action as well as a transverse reac- forcing bars. The cracks were
tion, the ends of the beams were marked as in Series 1, however the
inclined and the beams were then numbers beside the cracks indicate
tested in a 200-ton Amsler compres- the transverse reaction (kips) on the
sion machine as shown in Fig. 6. connection at that stage of crack de-
Figs. 7 to 10, which show the velopment.
beam details, illustrate how the axial
OBSERVATIONS
reaction was varied by varying the
slope of the beams. Note that the Some of the important results of

n
'o n
.n
'6 `
p _ 0 N N N
N t^l 7 Y 7
J J J J J J
A 4.5 55.5 6 6 6
G I 5 3 7 7 7
2 8 4 8 8 8
nW
w K 7 8 0 i3 13 13
j 111
o'0
C 4 I 6 8 16 1 6 6
D 2 2422242424
W L 9 12 I5 16 16 16
H 1-lili 3 7 7 Z
±116 8 i6 16 16
E 8 7:
8 B
wQ L 12 16'
am
F 16 16

Fig. 3. Details of connections for Series 1

June 1968 15
 3" 8'-0" 3"

Ti
"L- 14-4.5-4,L-21-5-5 _1_35" L- 14-45-4, L-21-5-5
" L-30-5,5-6 L-30-5.5-6 LOCATION OF LOAD
" L-42-6-7 ' L- 42 -6-7, L- 42 -6-7- AND REACTIONS
L- 42 -6-7-5 ' L- 42-6-7-7
L- 42 -6-7-7 F60"
L —2- 3

I I i, N

3° I
r
I5 a^6
^^
*3 STIRRUPS
2-*10
J. 43"
Fig. 4. Details of ti :st beams for Series I

the Series 1 tests are presented in failure of the beam itself. It would
Fig. 12. It can be seen that the seem that the primary reason for
actual strength of all the connec- this added strength was that strain
tions exceeded the ultimate, based hardening of the reinforcement oc-
on the measured yield strength of curred thereby resulting in steel
the reinforcing bar, even though stresses considerably higher than at
the failure of the connection was in yield. From the strain measurements
one instance forestalled by a shear on the steel it was also apparent that

Fig. 5. Fabricated connection L-42-6-7-7

is PCI Journal
 some of the vertical force was trans- than the similar connections without
mitted by friction and bond directly compression steel. Figs. 15 and 16
from the connection plate to the compare the top surfaces of connec-
concrete. The relative importance of tions L-42-6-7 at the failure load of
this effect will be considered later. 60.4 kips with L-42-6-7-7 at a higher
Fig. 13 is a typical curve showing load of 63.6 kips. The concrete be-
the rotation of the connection plate hind connection L-42-6-7-7 is virtu-
as load was applied. It can be seen ally intact, while L-42-6-7 has failed
that only a minor amount of move- in compression. This indicates that
ment occurred up until the yield of compression steel may be used to
the reinforcing bars was reached. improve the behavior of the con-
No measurable slip between the nection or to assist in supporting the
plate and the concrete was recorded. compressive force if insufficient con-
Fig. 14 illustrates the stress build- crete area is available.
up in the inclined reinforcing bars The first cracks in the connection
as load was applied. It should be region discernible with the aid of
noted that at failure the stress in an illuminated hand magnifying
the inclined bars below the bend glass became visible at loads of ap-
was approaching the yield stress; it proximately one half of ultimate,
is therefore desirable to extend the i.e., at loads approximately equal to
bars at least a full development the expected service loads. Even at
length beyond this point. The strain loads substantially higher than ser-
in the reinforcement does not in- vice loads, cracks remained narrow.
crease uniformly because it is af- At loads approximately equal to the
fected by the development of cracks. nominal ultimate, based on the ac-
The connections with added com- tual yield strength of the steel, cracks
pression steel failed at loads higher began to widen rapidly.

Fig. 6. Sloping beam in testing machine

June 1968 17
 ON NECTIONS
CONNECTIONS B AND C
A AND D24

I
`-2 -'II I
*3-14,M4° ^6° 507" 2091/2) 2°

Figs. 7 to 10 (top to bottom). Details of test beams with H/V = 0,

1/4, lh and 3/4 respectively
18 PCI Journal
 Fig. 11. Details of connection for Series 2

The nominal ultimate capacity of factory. No cracking had occurred

the connections of Series 2 was 35 in the connection region of any of
kips, based on a measured yield these beams at loads up to one half
strength of 20 kips for the No. 6 of the ultimate. Fig. 18 shows the
reinforcing bar. Yielding of the bars extent of crack development in beam
at the location of the strain gages L-35-6-6H at a transverse load of
was, however, expected at a lower 18 kips, corresponding approximate-
load of 32 kips because of the re- ly to the expected service load. All
duced area resulting from the nec- of the cracks that have become vis-
essary grinding required for the in- ible with the aid of the illuminated
stallation of the strain gages. A magnifying glass have been marked.
summary of some of the results of As can be seen from the photograph,
Series 2 is shown in Fig. 17. a considerable number of flexural
The behavior of the connections at cracks have developed, but no
loads up to ultimate was again satis- cracks developed in the region of

CONNECTION L- 14 -4.5-4 L-21-5-5 L-30-5.5-6 L-42-6-7 L-42-6-7-5 L-42-6-7-7

AREA in2 0.40 0.62 0.88 120 120 1.20
INCLINED i (ksi) 52.3
BARS 52.5 46.6 51 51 51
fs (ksi) 79.2 80.0 70.8 73 73 73
BASED ON i 18.1 28.2 35.6 53 53 53
CAPACITY
(kips) BASED ON fs 275 43 54 76 76 76
127 27.4
REACTION FIRST CRAG 9.6 11.6 19.5 19.5
(kips) FAILURE 269 33.5 48.3 60.4 72.1 63.6
FA T CAUSE
APPARENT
OF FAILURE colression compression compression compression compression shear

Fig. 12. Test results of Series 1

June 1968 19
 Im

O8
x
U)
z

a 6
0 a
cc L- 14-4.5-4 ,o
('1

z 4 W

0 D
J

02 °
U.

O 4 8 12 16 20 24 28
REACTION (KIPS)

-2

Fig. 13. Typical relationship of rotation and reaction

YIELD
16

Q 12
x
z 12" FROM
0: 8 PLATE -N

N
ABOVE
BEND -

4
BELOW
BEND

O 10 20 30 40 50 60
TRANSVERSE REACTION V (KIPS)
Fig. 14. Strain in the inclined bars of connection L-42-6-7-7
20 PCI Journal
the connection even at 35 kips (the crushed behind the plate to such an
nominal ultimate load). Fig. 19 extent that extensive rotation had
shows the cracking pattern at 35 occurred and the support transfer
kips. The elongation of the inclined beam was threatening to buckle.
bars has resulted in the formation Fig. 21 shows the cracking pattern
of several cracks below the connec- at 50 kips when the test was discon-
tion. It is interesting to note that the tinued. It should be noted that the
strain gages on the bars indicated major cracks started to develop at
that both the inclined and the hori- the top shortly after the bars had
zontal bars had begun to yield at reached their yield point. The con-
this load. Fig. 20 shows the top of nection provided ample warning of
the beam at 50 kips when the test impending failure, with extensive
was discontinued. The concrete had cracking and rotation while still sup-

Fig. 15. Top surface of L-42-6-7 at 60.4 Fig. 16. Top surface of L-42-6-7-7 at 63.6
kips kips

June 1968 21
porting load. mainly the result of friction behind
Electrical resistance gages were the plate. This friction force could
placed on the top and bottom of be considered to be significant when
each bar so that the elongation of H/V = 0. However, when a substan-
each bar could be determined. The tial axial force is applied, the con-
force in the inclined bars, TI, and in tribution of this force diminishes to
the horizontal bar, F, could, there- an insignificant part of the total.
fore, be determined. The force, C, Fig. 23 compares the compressive
could then be determined by setting force to the design value C = 0.58 V.
the sum of the horizontal forces The design method gives a conserv-
equal to zero. The values of TI, F ative prediction of the compressive
and C for loads up to yield were force. In this case, the design equa-
determined for all of the connec- tion is least conservative for the
tions. connections with the lowest axial
Fig. 22 compares the force in the load, and more conservative for
inclined bars TI to the value used beams with increased axial load.
for design, TI = 1.15 V. All of the Fig. 24 compares the force in the
measured values were lower, and horizontal bar, F, with the design
therefore safer, than the design value F = H. At first glance the de-
value. This indicates the presence of sign method appears to be inade-
a vertical force in addition to the quate for H/V = ¼. However, the
vertical component in the inclined force in the horizontal bar of the
bar. This vertical force is probably connection with H/V = ¼ does not

APPARENT CAUS THEORETICAL V TEST

CONNECTION H^v VTEST SHEAR CAPACITY
OF FAILURE (kips) THEORETICAL

A 0 compression 55.2 66.5 kips —

B 0 shear 40.9 43.6 0.94

C 0 shear 39.3 42.3 0.93

D 0 shears compression 60.3 68.5 0.98

E 4 support beam 45.9 63.9 —

F 4 rollers slipped 39.5 379 > 1.04

G 2 shear 34.0 37,8 0.90

H 2 compression 50.0 64.1 —

J 4 shear 40.6 38.9 1.04

K compression 54,0 65.0 —

Fig. 17. Test results of Series 2

22 PCI Journal
 Fig. 18. Cracks at 18 kips Fig. 19. Cracks at 35 kips

exceed the predicted force until the nection was reached. Shear failures
transverse reaction exceeds 43 kips, occurred at loads lower than pre-
well above the yield reaction of 35 dicted by theoretical calculations.
kips. The predicted force becomes The beams that failed in shear,
increasingly conservative as the H/V failed at loads as low as 88 per cent
ratio is increased. of the theoretical value, based on
the ACI Building Code (ACI 318-
SHEAR DESIGN
63) equations without the capacity
In all the beams of Series 2, the reduction factor, but including the
end of the beam with more widely effect of axial load. This indicates
spaced stirrups failed in shear be- that the reaction is transferred in a
fore the full capacity of the con- substantially different way from the
bottom reaction that is normally

Fig. 20. Top surface at 50

kips Fig. 21. Cracks at 50 kips
June 1968 2?,
considered. Extra stirrups should, servative, yet appear to be suffi-
therefore, be included in the end of ciently accurate for general use.
the beam. A simple way of designing The connection is economical as
these end stirrups to ensure adequate it weighs approximately one half as
capacity would be simply to pro- much as other hanger connections
vide sufficient stirrups in the end of a similar capacity (e.g., "Cazaly
to support the full connection load, Hanger") and requires correspond-
i.e., A„ = V/fy. More accurate pro- ingly less fabrication and welding.
cedures could be used but are not Cautions. Added stirrups must be
likely justified by the savings from used near the end of the beam to
the number of stirrups that might transfer the load satisfactorily from
be eliminated. the connection to the beam.
CONCLUSIONS Welding must be done with par-
The behavior of this connection ticular care to avoid the possibility
at service loads and at ultimate de- of brittle fracture of the reinforcing
sign loads appears to be satisfactory bars adjacent to the welds.
in all respects. The large reserve ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
strength beyond yield ensures added I would gratefully like to ac-
safety in excess of normal require- knowledge the financial support pro-
ments. vided by the National Research
The simple design equations Council of Canada and the facilities
which have been proposed are con- and equipment provided by the

40
• /H,__
U)
YIELD
H,
V^4

• /77A=
I, »32

U)
Cr

m 24
H /V = O

0
w
z
J
Z f6

w
U e
M
0
Ii-

0 8 16 24 32 40 48 56
TRANSVERSE REACTION V (KIPS)

Fig. 22. Force in the inclined bars

24 PCI Journal
 N
a 32

U 24
It
0
U.
G"0.
> 16 4
U)
N
W
H/V I
a 2
2
O 8
U H/ 3
V'4

0 8 16 24 32 40 48 56
TRANSVERSE REACTION V (KIPS)
Fig. 23. Compressive force in the concrete

.,20
U,
a YIELD

H/ -I
LL
N16 -
,V4

J
12 HIV' 4
z
0
N
0
'8
Z

w
U
Ir
04
U.

0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28
AXIAL REACTION H (KIPS)

Fig. 24. Force in the lower horizontal bar

June 1968 25
JOIST TO BEAM ROOF BEAM TO COLUMN

mJI
i

II

rnftdIUii

BEAM TO BEAM FLOOR BEAM TO COLUMN

NOTE: The reinforcement in the beams and columns has not been shown.

Fig. Al. Typical applications of the connection

26 PCI Journal
Faculty of Engineering at The Uni- nal of the Prestressed Concrete
versity of Calgary. The assistance of Institute, Vol. 12, No. 2, April 1967, pp.
18-37.
Con-Force Products Ltd., who sup-
2. Kriz, L. B. and Raths, C. H., "Connec-
plied the beams, and Bonnybrook tions in Precast Concrete Structures—
Steel Ltd., the supplier of the con- Bearing Strength of Column Heads,"
nections, is also gratefully acknowl- Journal of the Prestressed Concrete In-
edged. stitute, Vol. 8, No. 6, December 1963,
pp. 45-75.
REFERENCES 3. Kriz, L. B. and Raths, C. H., "Connec-
1. Burton, K. T., Corley, W. G. and tions in Precast Concrete Structures—
Hognestad, E., "Connections in Pre- Strength of Corbels," Journal of the
cast Concrete Structures—Effects of Re- Prestressed Concrete Institute, Vol. 10,
strained Creep and Shrinkage," Jour- No. 1, February 1965, pp. 16-61.

APPENDIX
Determine the proportions and capacity of a connection using two No. 6
inclined bars and one No. 6 horizontal bar.
Data: A8 = 2 X 0.44 = 0.88 in.2
f, = 50 ksi
slope = 30 0 from vertical
fo 4000 psi
plate width = 1 in.
beam width = 8 in.
reaction = 2Y in. from center of inclined bar

Tz = AS f, = 0.88in. 2 X 50ksi = 44 kips

V = Tv = Tlcos 30° = 44 x 0.866 = 38.1 kips
C = Tlsin 30° = 44 x 0.5 = 22 kips
fb = 69-/fI (s/w)1 /3 = 69 /4000 (4/1) 1 3 = 6930 psi

Depth of compression block

Cs
=--- - 6.93 x 1 = 3.18 in.
Therefore Tr, V and C must act concurrently at a point 1.59 in. from the top.
For a horizontal distance of 2½ in. from the center of the inclined bar to
the vertical reaction, the required plate depth is
2.5/tan 30° + 1.59 = 5.92 in., say 6 in.
Allowable H = F = 22 kips
Maximum H/V = 22/38.1 = 0.58

Discussion of this paper is invited. Please forward your discussion to PCI Headquarters
by September 1 to permit publication in the December 1968 issue of the PCI JOURNAL.
June 1968 27