Bond of Epoxy-Coated Reinforcement: Splices

The effects of epoxy coating and transverse reinforcement on the splice strength of reinforcing bars in concrete are described. A total of 64 beam and slab splice specimens containing No. 6 and No. 8 bars were tested. Three deformation patterns were used. Epoxy coatings are found to reduce splice strength significantly; however, the extent of the reduction is less than that used to select the development length modification factors in the 1989 ACI Building Code and 1989 AASHTO Bridge Specifications. The percentage decrease in splice strength caused by epoxy coating is independent of the degree of confining reinforcement, which provides approximately the same percentage increase in the strength of splice for both coated and uncoated bars. The details of the study and the findings are presented and discussed. This is the second of a series of papers aimed at gaining a better understanding of the bond of epoxy-coated reinforcement to concrete and developing design procedures that accurately reflect the changes in bond strength caused by epoxy coating.