Behavior and design of reinforced concrete column-type lapped splices subjected to high-intensity cyclic loading

The behavior and design of lapped splices in reinforced concrete column type specimens under high intensity flexural cyclic loads was studied. Special attention is focused on the transverse steel requirements of specimens with more than two splices in a layer; the use of offsets in spliced bars; the effect of concrete strength on splice strength and behavior; and the strength of epoxy-repaired splices. Procedures are provided for the design of reinforced lapped splices to sustain at least twenty reversing load cycles beyond yield and a maximum rebar strain at the splice of at least 2.5 times the yield strain. The key aspect of the design is the provision of closely spaced uniformly distributed stirrup ties in the splice region. Equations are developed for the spacing of stirrups and the minimum splice length requirement.