Mechanical Analysis of Grouted Sleeve Lapping Connector

Abstract

Compared to grouted splice connectors that have been widely used in constructing precast concrete structures, grouted sleeve lapping connectors have the advantages of a large sleeve interior diameter and low manufacturing cost. In this study, 16 grouted sleeve lapping connectors and three grouted splice connectors were tested under an incremental tensile load. The differences in their tensile capacities and failure modes, especially the mechanical properties of the grouted sleeve lapping connectors, were investigated. It was found that the tensile capacities of the grouted sleeve lapping connectors were up to 2.45 times that of the grouted splice connectors when the sleeve inner surfaces were smooth. All of the grouted sleeve lapping connectors failed by a bar tensile fracture or bar-grout slip, whereas the only failure mode of the grouted splice connectors was grout-sleeve failure. The bond stress distribution around the inserted bar in the grouted sleeve lapping connector was similar to the bond stress distribution around a single bar anchored in concrete. The ultimate hoop compressive strain of the sleeve and the corresponding load increase with greater lap length. In addition, an approximate mechanical model with high reliability was put forward to describe the mechanical properties of the grouted sleeve lapping connector.