PRECAST CONCRETE JOINTS

-V.Prabakaran
 JOINT
• A joint is an designedly gap between adjoining elements
or between an element and some other portion of the
structure where the action of forces takes place
• (e.g. Compression, Tension and Shear etc). Joints may be
horizontal, vertical or inclined.
• The function of a joint between precast elements is to
provide physical separation between the components of
the structure.
JOINT
 PURPOSE OF JOINT
• To transmit forces between structural components
• To provide overall stability
• To provide strength to the structure
• To prevent from external leakages
 FAILURE OF JOINTS
• Improper Detailing of reinforcement in elements
• Inadequate Design of Precast element
• Type of concrete use and its mix design
• Low quality of material used at the time of production
• Lack of concrete continuity
• Low quality connecting loops provided
• Low quality of grouting material
 CONT.
• Usage of weather sensitive connections
• Inappropriate lapping of steel (locker Bars) in connection
• Inappropriate water to powder ratio of grouting material
• Unprofessional workmanship at the time of execution
• Ignorance in supervision
 MECHANISM OF LOAD TRANSFER
• Strut & Tie for transfer of bearing forces
• Coupled joints for transfer of bearing forces and/or
moments & torsion
• Shear Friction for transfer of shear with or without
compression
LOAD TRANSFER
 COMPRESSION JOINT
The compression (bearing) joints can be formed by:
• Dry Pack Mortar
• Bedded Bearing (semi wet mortar)
• Soft Bearing
• Steel Bearing
• Extended bearings through wet joints (where temporary
bearings are small)
JOINT
 SHEAR JOINT
The shear forces can be transferred between two Precast
Elements by one or more of following Methods:
• Adhesion & Bonding (Generally avoided)
• Shear Friction
• Shear Keys
• Dowel Action
• Mechanical Connection
SHEAR JOINT (cont.)
• Shear key : It rely on mechanical interlock and the
development of confined diagnol compressive strut across
the shear plane
• Shear friction : It relies on the nature of interface
between the contact surface. when a surface has certain
roughness, the shear will be transferred by friction even if
the surface is cracked
Shear Key
Shear Friction
SHEAR JOINT (cont.)
• Dowel Action:
Where reinforcing bars are placed across the
joints, the shear force is transferred thro’ “dowel
Action”. Where dowel bars are used, the capacity of
dowel action alone is assumed to act ignoring shear
friction/shear keys
Dowel Action
SHEAR JOINT (cont.)
• Mechanical Device:
Shear transfer may be acheived locally using
mechanical connection. The design of such
connection may be considered carefully as very high
stiffness of joint is made locally due to site welding or
high friction grip bolts leading to less flexibility of
joints
Mechanical Devices
 TENSION JOINT
• Lapping of rebars or loops
is often used to transfer
tension between precast
elements.
• The precast elements are
cast with projecting
bars/loops which are
embedded in wet concrete
/ grout.
 SEALENT
• Connections Precast Concrete Construction involves
interface between old concrete (precast) & new concrete
(grout) and hence are vulnerable to cracking due to
temperature changes & movement .
• By care full designing of such joints, the crack widths in
the joints can be limited to an extent but can not be
avoided altogether.
• To achieve water tightness, sealants in external joints is a
must
 CHOICE OF SEALENT
• The variety of sealants are available in market e.g. Poly
Urethane based , Poly Sulfide based or Silicon based.
• The choice of sealant sealant for a particular particular
project project will depend upon the type of structure,
strain levels in joints, ambient temperature, seasonal
changes, life of sealant and it’s elongation properties
Sealent
 CONCLUSION
• The connection generally comprises of one or more joints
(compression/shear/tension joints)
• There are well established methods to design the joints
for the subjected forces.
• The choice of joints depend upon the stress levels at
serviceability/ultimate stage in addition to fire, impact,
accidental loads etc.
• The alternate load path shall be available in case of
failure of one join