Experimental evaluation of coupler behavior for mechanical rebar splices in reinforced concrete structures

The use of mechanical splices to connect steel bars is an important solution in many infrastructure projects worldwide. In Brazil, this system is rarely used. The Brazilian standards regarding this subject are old and out of date; particularly with regard to the performance evaluation test methods for these splices in the laboratory. This paper presents and discusses the test procedure proposed in the international standard ISO 15835 [1] in light of the current procedure defined by Brazilian Standard ABNT NBR 8548 [2], applied to types of mechanical splices commonly used in Brazil: taper threaded and bolted couplers. Performance parameters for these mechanical splicing systems related to structural integrity in reinforced concrete structures are evaluated on the basis of the results obtained in these tests. In the end, it is intended that this paper provide support for discussion of design procedures and laboratory performance evaluation of couplers for mechanical splices of steel bars in reinforced concrete structures in future reviews of Brazilian standard ABNT NBR 8548 [2].