Title No.

62·63

AN ACI TWO-PART PAPER

Lapped Splices for High Strength

Reinforcing Bars
By PHIL M. FERGUSON and JOHN E. BREEN

Tests of 35 beams, each containing lapped splices of #8 or #II bars

of high strength steel in a constant moment region, are reported. Splices
with #II bars behaved exceptionally well, developing bond stresses slight-
ly higher than the #8 bars and indicating that the ACI Code splice provi-
sions for #II bars are a little severe. The shape of the steel stress-strain
curve had little influence on splice strength. No loss in bond strength de-
veloped when steel strains as high as 0.006 to 0.009 were reached. One #II
bar specimen at a steel strain of 0.0 I I developed· lower bond resistance
but a #8 bar specimen at 0.012 strain showed no such effect. The few beams
having stirrups over the splices gave higher strengths, but the main study
was related to splices without stirrups.
Key words: beam; bond strength; cracking; high strength steel; lapped
splice; reinforced concrete; research; splice .

• ALL EARLY INVESTIGATIONS OF lapped splices with A305 bars involved

small diameter bars. In 1955 Chinn, Ferguson, and Thompson1 reported
a series of tests with #6 bars which showed that only splice lengths
of more than 21D developed steel stresses above 40 ksi. Unpublished
studies by Chinn at The University of Colorado with bars to #11 size
indicate that larger bars give lower splice strengths (in ksi) when length
is a fixed number of bar diameters. This finding accords with two se-
ries2·3 of tests for development lengths of high strength steel bars at
The University of Texas which showed unit bond resistance decreasing
with bar diameter. The 1963 ACI Code now limits bond stresses to
values varying inversely with the bar diameter.

CODE DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

Lengths of lapped splices for bar sizes up to #ll are calculated under
the 1963 ACI Code as an anchorage or development length, L" = f.D/4u,
with u limited to 0.75 of the Code values permitted elsewhere. When
these splices are spaced laterally at less than 12 diameters on centers,
or closer than 6 in. or 6 bar diameters from an outside edge, their
length must be increased by 20 percent. The lapped bars may be either
in contact or spaced apart, since past tests seem to show either arrange-
ment is satisfactory.
1063
1064 JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CONCRETE INSTITUTE September 1965

long-time ACI member Phil M. Ferguson is professor of civil engineering, The University
of Texas, Austin, Tex. A recognized authority on concrete Professor Ferguson is tl1e author
of numerous research papers including the textbook "Reinforced Concrete Fundamentals."
long active in ACI affairs he also served as ACI president in 1959. Currently he is chairman
of ACI Committee 408, Bond Stress; and is a member of ACI Committee 318, Standard
Building Code; and ACI-ASCE Committee 441, Reinforced Columns.
ACI member John E. Breen is assistant professor of civil engineering, The University of
Texas, Austin, Tex. Since 1956 Dr. Breen has been a research engineer on various projects
in the fields of reinforced and prestressed concrete at The University of Missouri and The
University of Texas. A registered professional engineer in Texas and Missouri he is the
author of several technical publications on reinforced and prestressed concrete members
ancl frames, structural dynamics, and use of computers in structural engineering. He is a
member of ACI-ASCE Committee 441, Reinforced Concrete Columns.

OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION

This investigation was designed to establish the splice length required
in a constant moment region to develop 75 ksi tension in 1arge bars,
specifically #8 and #11 bars of ASTM A431 steel. A second objective
was to determine the influence of the shape of the steel stress~strain
curve on the necessary splice length, in particular the influence of a
rounded stress~strain curve with no definite yield point and a large
strain at yield strength-in comparison with a steel having a relatively
sharp yield point (at a smaller strain).
Limited tests were made with stirrups over the splice, and one nar~
rower beam was made to estimate the effect of reducing the lateral
spacings of splices.
A total of 35 beams were tested, all with bars cast in the bottom of
the beam, 21 with #8 bars and 14 with #11 bars. Of these, 12 with
#8 bars and 13 with #11 bars were in "standard" width beams without
stirrups and these form the core for the major study.

S.PECIMENS
Each beam contained two parallel splices in a constant moment length
with bars so arranged as to keep symmetry across the beam as indicated
in Fig. 1, making the lateral spacing center to center of splices 8.5 bar
diameters (8.5D). The three steels used had stress~strain curves as
shown in Fig. 2. Concrete strength fo' was varied from 1840 psi to 5620
psi but most of the beams were made with 3000 to 4000 psi concrete.

TEST RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

Behavior under test

The earliest and widest flexural cracks formed at the bar cutoff points,
but flexural cracks developed later within the splice length. Splitting
along the bars, which initially developed over the bars near the ends
of the splice, increased with load until just prior to failure it covered
 HIGH STRENGTH REINFORCING BARS 1065

-~
=(\J -
s =lO
- 0::
'
~
0:: <I r<l =
<I 41/4 11
t0 LD w LD
(X)
-
w -+! ~--
__j -
u
r
_j

_eo oe f eo oe

Tl ~·~~
17" ... I T I~·_2_4'_'------t•l
FOR #8 BARS FOR #II BARS

LOAD !SYM. LOAD

'ABOUT t.

1.. LAP=t..:' .. 1

t..:' +2d
Fig. I -Typical test beams

from 50 to 100 percent of the splice length. Except when stirrups were
used, failure was sudden, violent, and complete. The splitting on the
one narrow beam was along the sides and finally broke off the entire
layer of cover over the bars.
The detailed data are recorded only in Part 2, but all major findings
are reported in curves or tables in this part.
One pattern of cracking near the splice ends has an uncertain signif-
icance. In many beams a diagonal crack formed at the start of the
splice instead of the vertical crack which would be typical in a constant
moment region. Each specimen contained two bar splices, the cufoff
bars being inside the continuing bars at one end and outside at the·
other, making four spots which could be checked for the appearance
of this diagonal crack.
In the case of 23 beams without stirrups which were examined for this
particular study only 5 cases of diagonal cracking out of a possible 46,
or about 11 percent, occurred where the continuing bars were outside.
Where the continuing bars were inside, the diagonal crack appeared
on 50 percent of the #8 bar specimen faces and on 67 percent of the
# 11 bar specimen faces. With beams having stirrups over the splice,
only some 22 percent developed the diagonal cracks. It appears that
either stirrups or continuing outside bars tie the beam together, but,
1066 JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CONCRETE INSTITUTE September 1965

120

~H-
~~ v--
100
v
;-_ --
/ ~43t.f- ~ rt
{),

--
/
80
~~
'(jj ~

~
.::t:
I
-==~
U) f...---
U)
w
0::
1-
60 1--""
~ if-
I I
U)

1-

5 40

20 I #g
I #11

1/
0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.010
I
0 0 002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.010
UNIT STRAIN in/in

Fig. 2 - Reinforcing steels used

in their absence, the "loose" outsid~ bar must be introducing some sec-
ondary effect which results frequently in diagonal cracking. Such
cracking could exist unseen in the middle of a beam width where the
continuing bars are outside, but one beam which was explored did not
show such an interior crack.
Bond stresses developed in splices without stirrups
The ultimate bond stress in the splice was calculated as the average
over the splice length using the nominal ultimate tension in the bar cal-
culated from:
f Mu Mu
s = Asjd - 0.9 Asd

in the relation:
U = Asfs
~oL"

The resulting bond stresses were modified to an equivalent Ua.o at fc'

of 3000 psi by multiplying the calculated bond stress at ultimate by
v 3000/fc'.
 HIGH STRENGTH REINFORCING BARS 1067

The calculated bond stresses u 3 .0 for all beams without stirrups are
plotted against L" in inches in Fig. 3 with solid circles for #8 bars and
crossmarks for # 11 bars. Trend lines for each size of bar are also
shown, based on all points except that for one # 11 bar plotted in the
lower right corner at L" of 85 in. This point represented a steel strain
of 0.011, far more than is usable in practice and probably a sufficient
cause of this low strength.
Contrary to expectations the curve for the # 11 bar splices plotted
above that for the #8 bars. This is evidence that for splices in this range
a design bond stress varying as 1/D, which requires a splice length
varying with D 2 , penalizes the #11 bar. The comparison in Fig. 3 is not
adequate in itself because L" to develop a given stress is different for
#8 and for #11 bars.
The trend line for the #8 bars beyond the point marked as f.= 75
ksi is shown dotted because of the limited data. However, the indication
is that above some stress (about 75 ksi) added splice length becomes less
effective. It is possible that the bar stresses may equalize in the end
lengths and leave an idle "middle third" at nearly constant stress which

600
\ • #8 BARS

550
• 1\" X#IIBARS

500
\
#~ ,\
(/)
a.
0
,..;
450
\) ~II f(: = 3000 psi

.. ~
::l 400

350
~
f 5 = 75 ks
I
i_j ......

fs = 89.7 ksi
' --
[/''x.
X
X
X I
-75 ksi

T
X

300 ' ... ... ,_ €=0.011

-...X
f 5 = 96.8 ksi--+
250
I
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
SPLICE LENGTH L', INCHES
Fig. 3- Bond stresses developed for various splice lengths
 1068 JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CONCRETE INSTITUTE September 1965

adds little ultimate strength to the splice. Fig. 7 seems possibly to con-
firm this concept, showing smaller percent splitting at the long lengths
which led to higher stresses.
Why the "middle third" should add so little strength in these cases is
not quite clear, but in the long splices, after splitting had progressed
over roughly two-thirds of the splice, the entire splice failed suddenly
. and violently. Failure did not develop gradually in the central part, a
process which would be evidenced by splitting. Possibly this reflects an
inability to readjust an overly large strain gradient, but it may reflect
simply an excessive unit stress on the steel which the concrete cannot
handle suddenly.
Two examples illustrate different behavior patterns. The lowest #8
bar point in Fig. 3 represents a stress of 96.8 ksi and a strain of 0.00463
in an 8-in. splice; its bond strength is definitely low. In contrast the 39-
in. lap of the #8 bars developed a strain of 0.00946, a 74.3 ksi steel stress
(well beyond yield for that steel), and a bond stress 57 percent higher.
Since the latter had a strain double the former, it appears maximum

90
FOR #8 BARS,.. ..........
. . -:-1'
...... f c = 3000psi
80
,.""'
"'
~~
.o/"' ~<,~ .........
...
70
~ . ~"'
Q-l~
~,."'
r.,'
(/)
/ ,' ,o)
~
...!!'
60
V, /'
/~·
/
~
~~ fl 7/.~
<v'? • )-r ...7 ~--~ I

50 ~<v~~/ / " ,~/

~~/ /
//
/ (JC:J'

40
Z..: / ,
r.! ,
.;.e-.~jj}~'
CJo<::>
• AVERAGE--
0 WEAKEST----
v - - - 1 0 ksi
ABOVE fy
I I
30
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
SPLICE LENGTH t..:' , INCHES

Fig. 4 - Analysis of steel stresses developed with #8 bars

 HIGH STRENGlH REINFORCING BARS 1069

strain alone is not the chief problem. Rather it may be that the concrete
cannot adjust efficiently to a 96.8 ksi steel stress at a splice.

Relation of splice length to developed steel stress

The trend lines for bond stresses in Fig. 3 have been used to calculate
the stresses (f. = u~oL") which would be expected in splices of various
lengths as shown in Fig. 4 for #8 bars and in Fig. 5 for #11 bars. The
major portion of the average strength curves can be adequately repre-
sented by a straight line with some terminal curving at high steel
stresses. Points have also been plotted for stresses which were developed
by the minimum bond strengths ob!!erved in the test series. These min-
imum points have been joined into what might be interpreted as a
minimum strength limit for comparison with the average strength curve.
In the design of splices satisfactory behavior would not be assured if
splice lengths were taken directly from these average curves because,
even without scatter, this would imply the sudden failure of the splice
as soon as the nominal yield strength of the bar was reached. Judgment

90.-----.-----.-----,-----,-----~,r-----r-1--~
FOR #II BARS
/ f~=3000psi
60r-----r-----r-----~--~~--~~----~--~

- · --IOksi
ABOVE fy
1
30~----~----~----~----~--~-L---_ _L _ I_ _~
30 40 50 60 70 80 90
SPLICE LENGTH L'~ INCHES
Fig. 5 - Analysis of steel stresses developed with #II bars
1070 JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CONCRETE INSTITUTE September 1965

f~ = 30 00 psi
1
307---~~--~----~--~~--~----~----~----L----J
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
SPLICE LENGTH L", INCHES
Fig. 6 - Comparison of analyses for #8 and #II bars

demands that every splice should be designed for some additional

strength, such as the increased yield strength which is normally pro-
vided in the bars, or some definite increment of stress above the nominal
yield strength. To recognize this need a second strength line has been
constructed which plots all f. values 10 ksi lower; for example the
length required for a 50 ksi splice has been plotted as the value to be
used at the 40 ksi level. Splices based on this curve should, on the aver-
age, develop about 10 ksi more than the nominal yield strength or, if the
true yield point is not 10 ksi above the nominal, should develop the
yield point plus some toughness corresponding to steel strains of pos-
sibly 0.008 or more (Fig. 10). This particular modification is arbitrary,
but typical of what might be used to establish practical designs.
On each of these figures a shaded area has also been shown, the left
boundary of which indicates the bottom bar splice lengths now required
by the ACI Code 4 for splices which are spaced at least 12D apart (lateral-
ly), and the right boundary of which shows the 20 percent greater lengths
required when the lateral spacing of splices is smaller. The splices tested
in this investigation were spaced 8.5D on centers and hence should
theoretically fall somewhere near the middle of this shaded area, al-
though the Code recognizes no interpolation and would require their
design by the right hand boundary line. From this one would conclude
that the Code requirement for #8 bar splices (Fig. 4) is quite closely
in agreement with tests, about 15 percent too severe at 40 ksi and about
 HIGH STRENGTH REINFORCING BARS 1071

s 80
w
f--
<1
~60
1/,
~
!::.
:::> ~
Fig. 7- Relation of splitting to length a: c;
~
X "'
~40
.
I~.
z '
I
f-- " .' I

v
<9 • X
~ 20
_J
• #8 BARS
f-- x #II BARS
::i
0..
(/) 0 20 40 60 80 100
L" -INCHES

10 percent low at 60 ksi. The corresponding Code requirement for #11

bars (Fig. 5) is in excess by about 18 percent at 60 ksi and 33 percent
at 40 ksi. The two cases may be compared in Fig. 6.
Length of splitting prior to failure
The length of splitting observed prior to failure is plotted in Fig. 7
against the total splice length, such that splitting over the full splice
length would plot as a 45-deg line. Many of the shorter specimens showed
splitting over a large part of their length, but the longer splice lengths
generally showed less than 40 in. of splitting for splices with a 70-in.
length and around 50 in fot splices 85 in. long. It was quite evident in
testing these longer splice lengths that splitting did not progress with
each loading as rapidly percentagewise as in the shorter splices; a con-
siderable center length remained near ultimate where the concrete was
not split at all. As mentioned earlier this was interpreted to mean that
stresses in the two lapped bars nearly equalized in the end sections
leaving the center part of the splice with little stress differential. Such
beams gave less warning of approaching failure and often failed some-
what explosively.
When the points plotted in Fig. 7 were each associated with the f.,
finally developed by that splice as in Fig. 8, it was observed that with a
few exceptions the 100 percent splitting line represented stresses in the
40 to 55 ksi range. On the other hand a line sloping at about 25 deg
represented stresses in the 80 ksi range and an intermediate radial line
would roughly separate the points into two ranges of ultimate steel
stress. The same data are replotted in Fig. 9 with steel stress as ordinate.
Influence of concrete strength on data
In modifying the bond stresses to the equivalent for 3000 ksi concrete,
it was assumed that bond strength would vary as the square root of f,.'.
In plotting Fig. 3, it was noted that this correction tended generally to
make a concrete strength over 4000 psi plot low and concretes under
1072 JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CONCRETE INSTITUTE September 1965

(/)
W60r-----r-----+-----4-----~-----+--­
I
u
z
~50 XTh7
1- t------J-----+-----f-------t-----¥------+----7"1~--- 78.6)0( 79.6
<J:
~
~ /
~4or-----+------r----~----~~----4A~~~------~~~~~/~/--~
0:::
<J:
w
z
1- 30r-----+-----+-----~~~~4
_J
Q_
(/)

LL
o2or---~~~~~~~~~~L---4-----+-----~----L---~
I " #8 BARS
G x #II BARS
iz:J I 0 1-----~h.L-----..~------ji------1--------ji------l STEEL STRESSES AT
ULTIMATE (f 5 )
INDICATED ON EACH
POINT IN ksi.
0~--~----~--~L---~----~--~L---~----J---~
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
SPLICE LENGTH-L"-INCHES

Fig. 8 - Tendency of f. values to segregate in plot of splitting

3000 psi plot relatively high. This would imply that the square root
ratio slightly overcorrected. It is possible this also indicates that a weaker
concrete adjusts better to the differential strains which must exist in a
splice. The data do not justify more than this brief comment. The spread
in the u 3 .0 values was actually not unreasonable.
Fig. 9 was plotted with special symbols to indicate concrete strength.
While there was some segregation of points, with the low fc' values show-
ing lower average stresses and a smaller splitting length percentage,
there was no striking evidence that could be associated with fc'.

100
•
80
.
.
•
"""' • •• 0.
0

-"' 60 ••
•e ... ,, t~· 2600·320~r • Fig. 9 - Percent of splitting as
o
• #8 ... , f~· 3200·3800
0
• influenced by steel stress
(1#'8 •*ll f~>3850
20 40 60 80 100
(LENGTH ~F SPLIT) x IOO
 HIGH STRENGTH REINFORCING BARS 1073

TABLE I -AVERAGE VALUES OF MAXIMUM CRACK WIDTHS OBSERVED

Service stress, fs Crack width,
Bar ksi in.
#8 24 0.0058
#8 36 0.0093
#8 45 0.013·0
#11 24 0.0058
#11 36 0.0096
#11 45 0.0135

Crack width at ends of splices

Observations of crack width at the ends of the splices were made on
the last 23 tests, only one of which had stirrup reinforcing. It was pos-
sible to compare the width of crack at a specific steel stress for different
splice lengths. When the crack widths were measured at selected stresses
representing typical service load stresses for differnt grades of steel,
crack width was unrelated to splice length. These stresses were selected
as 24 ksi which would be typical for intermediate grade steel, 36 ksi for
A432 steel, and 45 ksi for A431 steel. For beams without stirrups Table
1 shows that crack widths increased with bar stress, with no measurable
difference between #8 and #11 bars at the two lower stresses and
only 4 percent difference at 45 ksi.
The one beam with stirrups where crack width was observed contained
#11 bar splices 36D in length and rather heavy stirrups. At the three
stresses listed above the crack width was 0.0118, 0.0157, and 0.0177; that
is, substantially more than in beams without stirrups.

Effect of type of steel stress-strain curve

After the early tests were run it was decided on all further specimens
to mount a strain gage on one of the bars just outside of the spliced
length. For symmetry two* small rectangular box openings were left
through the concrete cover exposing about half of the face of the bars,
but only one bar was instrumented. This measurement of strain in the
•Only one box used on the first three tested.

500
I
39 D (here only)

, #8-420 _£_

0
,.;
400
X
__ ~1_:.4§.9 ----X
-----
::l
.x
Fig. I0 -Influence of steel 300
Ill
strain on ultimate bond

200
l" 1!11
X •8-420
#11•480
#11-600
0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 O.QI 0.012 0.014
UNIT STRAIN Es
1074 JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CONCRETE INSTITUTE September 1965

bar was an inaccurate measure of the maximum bar strain (because of

adhesion of the concrete on the inner face of the bar and because a
final reading could not always be obtained), but it afforded some check
on the steel strains which were attained. It also enabled some reason-
ably definite statements to be made about the steel strains which were
reached under ultimate load conditions. In Fig. 10 these steel strains
have been plotted against the bond stress which was developed. It is
obvious for at least two of the splice lengths that a steel strain of 0.006,
which is permitted by ASTM at the yield point for A431 steel, has lit-
tle influence in reducing the bond strength which is achieved in a
splice.
For the third splice length the # 11 bar reached a strain of 0.011
(lower right of Fig. 10) and gave a bond strength some 25 percent
1ower than the 60D splices with lower strains. It is concluded that
strains up to 0.006 are not harmful in splices but that strains very much
larger seem to reduce splice strength.
The one #B bar splice of BOD length failed at 276 psi bond stress (some-
what low), and fs of 96.3 ksi, and a strain of only 0.00463. This low
average bond is possibly the result of the excessive length or the high
steel stress as discussed earlier; it is not considered significant in the
general strain study of Fig. 9 since no other BOD splice is available for
comparison.
Influence of stirrups
Beams with stirrups showed greater splice strengths than those with-
out stirrups. Stirrups were used primarily in #B bar beams. They were
used over the ends of the splices, where splitting first developed, but
in some cases they extended nearly all the way across the splice. Data
on these beams are summarized in Fig. 11. The values without stirrups
show in the lower left. Two r values are plotted for each specimen, one
measuring the stirrup concentration over the end of the splice, and
the other the ratio when end stirrup areas are averaged over the entire
length of the splice. The horizontal spread indirectly indicates the por-
tion of the splice having no stirrups.
Stirrups improved splice strength noticeably, in the order of 20 per-
cent for the minimum r of 0.0015. They also eliminated the sudden and
violent failure which characterized splices without stirrups. There was
no improvement of end crack width, this crack appearing actually to
have been substantially increased at a given steel stress level when stir-
rups were used as noted above.
In Fig. 11 the highest points at r = 0 and r = 0.0123 are for 30D splices;
all others, both #B and #ll bars, represent 36D splices. Only one
#11 bar beam carried stirrups. Its stirrups were #3-U at 6-in. centers
 HIGH STRENGTH REINFORCING BARS 1075

600

X j:.'::.':..~---- :-e----- ~
550
AVERAGE OVER L" /MAXIMUM (AT ENDS)

500
\_
-----
...... _____ ..
_____ ...
... - - - 4
------- ---
450 ... ___ .
400
le • #8 BARS
X #II BARS
I
350
0 0.001 0.002 0.003
r = Av/bs

Fig. II -Influence of stirrups on ultimate load

with one extra at each end, making the average r = 0.002 and adding
50 percent to the splice strength.
Effect of beam width
Only one beam was made in which the beam width was varied from
that shown in Fig. 1. This beam provided approximately a five bar
diameter lateral spacing of splices compared to the 8.5D spacing in
other specimens. This closer spacing caused a 20 percent reduction in
splice strength. Thus it appears that the increased length required by
the ACI Code for a close spacing of splices is a proper limitation.
Items in Part 2
The second part of this paper includes more details on the specimens,
the data and calculated stresses for all specimens, the detailed data
which is averaged in Table 1, and the data supporting Fig. 10 and 11.
CONCLUSIONS
Within the limitations of this 35-beam program the following general
statements appear warranted.
1. Without stirrups the following lap lengths spaced 8.5D laterally in a
constant moment length of 3000 psi concrete developed, on the average,
about 10 ksi more than the minimum yield strength listed on the next
page.
1076 JOURNAl OF THE AMERICAN CONCRETE INSTITUTE September 1965

Bar size fy= 40 ksi fy= 60 ksi fy = 75 ksi

#8 24D = 24in. 47D = 47 in. 70D = 70 in.
#11 30D = 42 in. 50D = 70 in. I 62D = 87 in.
2. The average bond stress on the #ll bar splices was slightly greater,
for a given splice length, than that developed by #8 bars. This was
not expected.
3. In the #8 bar tests two beams seemed to indicate that steel stresses
in excess of 75 ksi resulted in lower attained bond stresses.
4. The splitting prior to failure gradually developed over the full
splice length for steel stresses under 50 ksi. However, as Fig. 7 indicates,
the longer splice lengths seemed almost to stabilize with a substantial
center length remaining unsplit until a final violent failure occurred.
5. The assumption that a developed bond stress would vary as the
square root of fc' seemed reasonably good, but there was a little evidence
that this was a slight overcorrection.
6. Where no stirrups were used, the widths of the crack which opened
at the end of the splices at a given level of stress were essentially equal
for both #8 and #11 bars. This was verified at several stress levels from
24 to 45 ksi. This crack width did not seem at all influenced by splice
length. Observations on one beam with stirrups showed substantially
wider end cracks.
7. A bar strain as high as 0.006 did not seem to weaken a splice, but
a strain of 0.011 in one case appeared to be injurious. The shape of the
steel stress-strain curve up to a strain of 0.006 did not seem to influence
splice strength.
8. Stirrups increased splice strength, minimum stirrups as much as 20
percent and heavy stirrups up to 50 percent.
9. For #8 bars the 1963 ACI Building Code provisions appear about
right. For #11 bars the Code splice provisions may be slightly too
strict.

ACKNOWLEDCM ENT
This project was sponsored by a grant from the Committee of Reinforcing
Bar Producers of the American Iron and Steel Institute.

REFERENCES
1. Chinn, James; Ferguson, Phil M.; and Thompson, J. Neils, "Lapped Splices
in Reinforced Concrete Beams," ACI JouRNAL, Proceedings V. 52, No. 2, Oct.
1955, pp. 201-214.
2. Ferguson, Phil M., and Thompson, J. Neils, "Development Length of High
Strength Bars in Bond," ACI JouRNAL, Proceedings V. 59, No. 7, July 1962, pp.
887-922.
 HIGH STRENGTH REINFORCING BARS 1077

3. Ferguson, Phil M., and Thompson, J. Neils, "Development Length for Large
High Strength Reinforcing Bars," ACI JoURNAL, Proceedings V. 62, No. 1, Jan.
1965, pp. 71-94.
4. ACI Committee 318, Building Code Requirements for Reinforced Concrete
(ACI 318-63), American Concrete Institute, Detroit, 1963, 144 pp.

NOTE: This is Part 1 of an ACI two·part paper. The second part will not be published in
the JOURNAL but xerographic or similar copies are available from American Concrete Institute
headquarters, where it will be kept permanently on file, at a charge equal to cost of reproduc-
tion plus handling at time of request. For a limited time, 6 x 9 in. offset printed copies of
Part 2 may be ordered at a substantial saving; see News Letter for details. Part 2 contains
details on specimens, data and calculated stresses for all specimens, the detailed data averaged
in Table 1, and data supporting Fig. 10 and 11.

Received by the Institute Aug. 21, 1964. Title No. 62·63 is a part of copyrighted Journal of
the American Concrete Institute, Proceedings V. 62, No. 9, Sept. 1965. Separate prints are
available at 60 cents each, cash with order.

American Concrete Institute, P.O. Box 4754, Redford Station, Detroit, Mich. 48219

Discussion of this paper should reach ACI headquarters in triplicate by

Dec. 1, 1965, for publication in the Part 2 March 1966 JOURNAL.
(See p. iii for details.)

Sinopsis- Resume- Zusammenfassung

Juntas Traslapadas para Barras de Refuerzos de Alta Resistencia
Se reporta ensayos de 35 vigas, cada una con juntas traslapadas de barras #8
o #11 de acero de alta resistencia en una region de momento constante. Las
juntas con barras #11 se comportaron excepcionalmente bien, y desarrollaron
esfuerzos de adherencia ligeramente mayores que con barras #8. Tambien in-
dicaron que las disposiciones del C6digo ACI para juntas de barras #11 son
algo severas. La forma de la curva esfuerzo-deformaci6n del acero tenia poca
influencia sabre la resistencia de la junta. No se produjeron perdidas en la
resistencia a la adherencia desarrollada cuando las deformaciones del acero
alcanzaron valores tan altos como de 0,006 a 0,009. Un especimen con barra #11
desaroll6 una resistencia a la adherencia menor para una deformaci6n del acero
de 0,011, pero un especimen con barra #8 no mostr6 tal efecto con una defor-
maci6n de 0,012. Las pocas vigas que tenian estribos en las juntas desarrollaron
mayor resistencia, pero el estudio principal se relacion6 con juntas empalme sin
estribos.

Epissures par Chevauchement sur des Barres d'Armature a Haute Resistance

On presente les resultats des essais auxquels furent soumises 35 poutres armees
de barres #8 et #11 en acier a haute resistance: toutes ces barres etaient
epissees par chevauchement en des regions des poutres ou le moment flechis-
sant demeurait constant. Les epissures sur les barres # 11 resisterent excep-
tionnellement bien, ne developpant que des contraintes d'adherence legerement
superieures a celles observees dans le cas des barres #8, ce qui semble indiquer
que les exigences du Code de l'ACI pour les barres #11 sont quelque peu
rigoureuses. Aucune relation n'a pu etre etablie entre la forme de la courbe
1078 JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CONCRETE INSTITUTE September 1965

contrainte-deformation de l'acier et la resistance des epissures. Meme lorsque

les deformations unitaires des barres d'armature ont atteint des valeurs de l'ordre
de 0,006 a 0,009, aucune diminution de la resistance en adherence ne fut observee
dans les barres. Dans l'un des echantillons contenant des barres #11, on a
constate une perte d'adherence apres que la deformation unitaire de l'acier eut
atteint 0,011, mais dans le cas des echantillons avec barres #8, aucun glissement
ne se produisit meme pour une deformation unitaire de 0,012. Les quelques
poutres qui contenaient des etriers disposes autour des epissures parurent plus
resistantes: toutefois c'est surtout aux epissures non renforcees par des etriers
que !'auteur a consacre son etude.

Uberlappungen von Bewehrungsstahlen mit hoher Festigkeit.

Es werden Priifungen an 35 Triigern aufgefiihrt, die jeder in einer Zone mit
konstantem Moment tl'berlappungen von #8 oder #11 Stiiben von hoher
Stahlfestigkeit enthielten. tl'berlappungen von Stiiben #11 verhielten sich aus-
sergewohnlich gut: Sie wiesen eine etwas hohere Haftspannung auf als die
Stiibe #8; somit wurde angezeigt, dass die Bestimmungen des ACI-Kodes fiir
Uberlappungen fiir Stiibe #11 etwas zu streng sind. Die Form der Belastungs/
Dehnungs-Kurve fiir den Stahl hatte wenig Einfluss auf die Festigkeit der
Uberlappung. Es trat kein Verlust an Verbindungsfestigkeit ein, sobald so hohe
Dehnungen wie 0,006 bis 0,009 erreicht wurden. Eine Probe eines Stabes #11
wies bei einer Dehnung des Stahls von 0,011 einen niedrigeren Haftwiderstand
auf, aber eine Probe eines Stabes #8 zeigte bei einer Dehnung von 0,012
keinen derartigen Effekt. Die wenigen Trager, die Biigel um die Verbindungen
hatten, ergaben hohere Festigkeiten, aber die Hauptuntersuchung befasste sich
mit Verbindungen ohne Biigel.
Title No. 67--63

Lapped Splices for High

Strength Reinforcing Bars
PART 2 SUPPLEMENT

By PHIL M. FERGUSON and JOHN E. BREEN

Copyright @ 1965 American Concrete Institute

Part 1 of this paper appeared

in ACI JOURNAL, Proceedings v. 62,
No. 9, Sept. 1965, pp. 1063-1078

PUBLICATION
To conserve ACI JOURNAL space, long papers are
divided into two parts with only the material
of general interest appearing in the JOURNAL.
In the case of important material of limited
interest, only a digest is published. For the
general reader, Part l and digest papers will
be sufficient to convey the information of
~ddest interest on the subject. However, to
round out the paper, or give the full story,
as the case may be, for those who have specific
interest in the material, these Part 2 sup-
plements are made available. The material in
Part 2's is new material not published in the
JOURNAL. For papers prepared in two parts, it
represents supplemental and expanded coverage
of the subject, particularly testing details,
derivations, etc. For papers that appeared
only in digest form, it is the full report.

These Part 2's are provided at cost.

The material contained herein has been accepted

on the sole responsibility of its author(s).
Institute authority attaches only to standards
adopted as provided in the bylaws.

american concrete institute

P. 0. BOX 4764, REDFORD STATION
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48219
Specimens

The beam cross section was shown in Fig. 1. The over-all beam
length varied considerably, being based on a constant moment length
equal to the splice length ( 18" to 84") increased by approximately twice
the beam depth plus end cantilevers adequate to develop the moment
capacity of the splice. In all cases the beams were cast with the spliced
bars in the bottom of the specimen, which was normally inverted for
testing. The tested splice section was thus typically in a negative moment
region which permitted easy inspection of the cracking as it developed.
Where stirrups were used they were placed near each end of the
splices, often with gaps near the middle of the splice length. The ratio
r = Av/bs is shown for the end spacing and for the average over the entire
splice length.
Three types of steel were used, as shown in Fig. 2. The upper curve,
designated A431. R, is for a rather high yield strength steel meeting ASTM
A431 specification. The middle curve, designated as A431. F, meets the
A431 specification but is really an unusually high strength A432 steel. The
lower curve is a typical A432 steel. The A431. R steel could be described
as having a "round house" curve, the A431. F and A432 steels as having a
"flat top" curve.
The numbering of specimens was coded as illustrated by the first spec-
imen listed in Table ll,+8R18a, in which the #8 bars are indicated by the
first number, a "round house" type of steel by R, the splice length in bar
diameters by 18, and sequence of specimens of this splice length by the final
letter a.

Concrete

All concrete used high-early-strength cement and Colorado River sand

and gravel, was mixed to a 1 to 3-inch slump, cured under plastic for about

*In Part 1.
tTable numbers continue from Part 1.
 2

six days. and then tested on the next day. Compression cylinders were cured

in the same fashion. Modulus of rupture beams were cured in a constant

temperature moist room until ready for test.

Test Procedure

Most specimens were tested in a 200,000 lb. Young testing machine

which applies load mechanically and reads the load hydraulically. The load

was distributed to the outside ends of the cantilevers by a heavy steel loading

beam. The SOD lap for #8 and 48D laps for #11 were tested in beams with the

splice on the bottom to avoid the need for an extra length loading beam. Beams

with the 60D lap of #11 bars were tested on their side (on rollers), by the use

of loading yokes and calibrated hydraulic jacks.

Loads were applied in increments to failure and a record was made of

the progress of cracks. After the first dozen specimens it was decided to

record the width of cracks at the ends of the splice; also to measure steel

strain at one end of one of the splices, as mentioned in Part I, using a

Berry gage with a two inch gage length. This strain reading was at the outer

face of the bar.

The actual beam size at the splice section was measured before test and

the actual cover over the bar was measured after failure occurred.

Data and Calculations

The basic data are tabulated in Table II, most of which is self-

explanatory. The stirrups were generally grouped over the ends of the splices

and the numbers tabulated apply to each end of the splice. The first tabulated

value of r = Av/bs represents the stirrup density at the ends, the second

averages the stirrups at one end over the full L"/2 distance. In the case of

beam 11R36a the stirrups extended full length but were closer spaced at the
 3

ends, calling for a double listing.

The calculated values listed in Table III were obtained quite simply. The

calculated f is based on M /{A 0. 9d). The Berry gage strain is basic data
s u s
but with half the face of the bar bonded it is a somewhat uncertain value except

as to order of magnitude. Since the strain was measured on the extreme

tension fiber of the bar, it was necessary to make the following correction to

obtain the average {center) strain. The distance from the assumed neutral

axis to the center of steel was taken as 0. 75d with D/ 2 being 0. 038d for the

#8 bars and 0. 044d for the #11 bars. The correction ratios then became 0. 75/

{0. 75 + 0. 038) for the #8 bar and 0. 75/{0. 75 + 0. 044) for the #1 1. Although

this correction should have been applied to the strains, actually the further

approximation was used of applying it to the stress corresponding to the

observed strain. This stress is recorded as the "Berry" value.

The bond stress u was calculated from u =T /Eo. L" =A s f s /Eo. L".
The value u 3 • 0 was calculated as u .f3000/fc'·

Percent of Splitting

Splitting did not develop in a regular pattern from the ends of the splices

but rather as a series of splits from each flexure crack, at larger loads

joining up into a continuous or a semi-continuous pattern. The splitting

length plotted in Fig. 7, 8 and 9 was arbitrarily taken as the sum of the

various splitting segments. Some of the splitting usually was farther from

the bar cutoff points than the splitting length alone would indicate.

End Crack Widths

Cracks which develop are, under a magnifier, irregular in direction and

non-uniform in width. Crack width was measured to a possible accuracy of

0. 1 millimeter which is about 0. 004 inch. Only by averaging could better

 4

accuracy be obtained. The recorded crack widths were based on four observa-

tions, one each directly over the bar on the tension face and one on each side

at the level of the steel. Not recorded here are the wider cracks observed at

times at the edge joining the tension face and the side of the beam. The data

of Table IV are the basis of the averages in Table I of Part I.

Effect of Steel Strain on Splice Strength

The strain data plotted in Fig. 9 are tabulated in Table V.

 TABLE II. DATA
f I M.R. M
La~ L'i
Beam Bars b h Cov. d Stirrups 4fo2U End Crack Widths
c u

I
psi ps· k-in in. in. in. in. ~a.e~ r (in.)at fs (ksi) of:
Spcgl
end in. end a:er. 24 1 45
36 '
8 Bars witho t stirrup~

8R18a
8R24a
A431.R
A431.R
18D
24D
3470 533
3530 552
784
1079
17.03
17.12
14.97 1. 75
15.03 1.67
12.72
12.86
0
0
-- -- -- 0.006
0.007
0.010
O.Oll
Failed
0.016
----
------ ---- ----
8F30a A43l.F 30D 3030 457 970 17.09 14.97 1.53 12.94 0 -- --
8F36a A432 36D 4650 587 1291 17.16 15.00 1.41 13.09 0 -- --
8F36b A43l.F 36D 3770 485 ll49 16.94 15.03 1.40 13.13 0 ---- ---- -- -- --
8F39a A432 39D 13650 ' 590 1379 17.06 15.09 1.53 13.06 0 -- 0.008 0.008 0.014
8F42a A432 42D ,2660 475 1224 17.19 15.09 1.50 13.09 0 -- -- -- 0.004 0.006 0.016
8F42b A432 42D 13830 477 1399 17.16 15.03 1.45 13.08 0 -- -- -- 0.006 0.010 0.014
8R42a
8R48a
A43l.R
A431.R
42D
48D
1 3310 547
3040 440
1308
1348
17.19
17.03
15.00 1.56
15.00 1.48
12.94
13.02
0
0
--
--
---- --
--
0.002
0.008
i 0.010
0.012
0.010
0.014
8R64a A43l.R 64D 3550 530 1660 17.09 15.00 1.52 12.98 0 -- -- -- 0.007 0.008 0.010
llR80a A43l.R 80D 3740 -- 1793 17.03 15.03 1.50 13.03 0 -- -- -- 0.004 0.008 0.014

8F36k A431.1 36D 3460 535 1001 9.69 15.09 1.38 13.21 0 -- -- -- 0.006 O.Oll 0.018

#8 Bars wi t h st1.rru s
8F30b
8F36c
A431.F
A43l.F
30D
36D
2610 460 1060
2740 435 1130
17.04
17.09
15.03
14.97
1.50
1.47
13.03
13.00
3
3
4.5
4.5
0.00131
0.00131
0.00118
0.00098
---- --
--
--
--
8F36d
8F36e
A431.F
A431.F
36D
36D
3580 525 1390
4170 590 1460
17.06
17.12
15.00
14.91
1.53
1.47
12.97
12.94
5
3
3.0
4.5
0.00196
0.00131
0.00163
0.00098
---- --
--
--
----
8F36f
8F36g
A431.F
A43l.F
36D
36D
3780 510 1471
3070 455 1388
17.06
17.03
15.09
14.97
1.50
1.53
13.04
12.94
5
3
3.0
4.5
0.0019~
0.00131
0.00163
0.00098
---- ---- --
8F36h
8F36j
A431.F
A43l.F
36D
36D
1910 340 1023
1820 390 1172
17.03
17.12
15.09
15.03
1.59
1.50
13.00
13.03
7
7
2.0
2.0
0.00294
0.00294
0.00208
0.00208 ---- ---- --
--
 TABLE II. (con't)
-- -
Beam Bars LaBL" f I M.R. M b h Cov. d Stirruns 4fo2U End Crack Widths
c u
psi psi k-in in. in. in. in. No. ea. Spcg r r (in.)at f (ksi) of:

I end in. end aver. 24 1 ;6 r 45

4ft 11 Bars wi t h out stirrups

llR24a A431.R 24D 3720 584 2280 -24.09 18.09 1.67 15.72 0 -- -- -- 0.008 0.011 0.014
11R30a
llF36a
A43l.R
A431.F
30D
36D
4030
4570
618
565
2641 24.09
2850 24.09
18.09
18.00
1.31
1.50
16.0S
15.79
0
0
---- --
--
---- 0.004
--
0.009
--
0.010
--
11F36b A432 36D 3350 492 2626 24.03 18.00 1.47 15.8 0 -- -- -- 0.008 0.010 0.016
11F42a A432 42D 3530 497 2814 24.00 18.00 1.48 15.82 0 -- -- -- 0.004 0.008 0.014
11F48a A431.F 48D 3140 399 3254 24.06 18.03 1.53 15.8C 0 -- -- -- 0.007 0.012 0.016
11F48b A432 48D 3330 531 3219 24.15 18.22 1.58 15.9 0 -- -- -- 0.004 0.009 0.010
11R48a
11R48b
A43l.R
A43l.R.
48D
48D
5620
3100
738
--
3679 24.16
3070 24.22
18.03
18.19
1.50
2.06
15.8
15.4
0
0
---- --
--
---- 0.002
0.008
0.006
0.011
0.010
0.016
11F60a A431.F 60D 2610 418 3530 23.97 18.09 1.59 15.83 0 -- -- ---- 0.004 0.008 0.014
11F60b A432 60D 4090 -- 3520 24.00 18.09 1.50 15.92 0 -- -- 0.008 0.012 0.012

---- -- --
11R60a A43l.R 60D 2690 472 3320 24.00 18.12 1.41 16.01 0 0.008 0.012 0.018
11R60b A43l.R 60D 3460 -- 3820 23.97 18.03 1. 75 15.5a 0 -- -- 0.004 0.008 0.014

3* 3
2.5*6.
10·~~306

*#3U stirrups in this one beam.

 7

TABLE III. Bar strains and computed stresses

Beam Bars f I Ca1c.f s Berry fs' ksi u u3.0

\ Lap, L" c
I psi ksi strain (Berry) psi psi

4fo 8 Bars without stirrups

8R18a A43l.R 18D 3470 43.2 0.00133 36.7 601 560
8R24a A43l.R 24D 3530 59.0 0.00190 57.2 615 570
8F30a A43l.F 30D 3030 52.6 -- ---- 438 437
8F36a
8F36b
A432
A43l.F
36D
36D
4650
3770
69.2
61.4
---- --
482
426
389
380
8F39a A432 39D 3650 74.3 0.00946 68.2 477 433
8F42a A432 42D 2660 70.6 0.00606 64.2 390 415
8F42b A432 42D 3830 65.5 0.01221 71.6 447 396
8R42a
8R48a
A431.R
A43l.R
42D
48D
3310
3040
75.1
72.5
--
0.00221+
--
61.5+
420
378
400
376
8R64a A431.R 64D 3550 89.7 0.00418+ 86.4+ 350 322
8R80a A431.R SOD 3740 96.8 0.00463 89.6 302 276

8F36k A43l.F 36D 3460 53.2 0.00193 53.0 368 343

4fo8 Bars wi t h stirrups

8F30b
8F36c
A431.F
A431.F
30D
36D
2610
2740
56.9
60.9
---- ---- 473
422
509
443
8F36d
8F36e
A431:F
A431.F
36D
36D
3580
4170
75.2
79.5
--
---- ---- 522
552
478
469

------
8F36f A431.F 36D 3780 77.8 540 481
8F36g
8F36h
A431.F
A431.F
36D
36D
3070
19Hi
75.2
55.2
---- 522
383
515
482
8F36j A431.F 36D 1820 63.2 -- -- 440 567

#11 Bars wit h out stirrups

11R24a A43l.R 24D 3720 52.0 0.00166 46.0 540 486
11R30a A431.R 30D 4030 58.7 0.00176+ 48.9+ 489 423
11F36a
11F36b
A431.F
A4,32
36D
36D
4570
3350
64.2
59.1
--
0.00233
--
59.3
445
410
360
388
11F42a A432 42D 3530 63.2 0.00203 55.5 375 348
11F48a A431.F 48D 3140 73.5 0.00265 67.5 383 374
11F48b A432 48D 3330 72.1 0.00780 65.0 375 356
11R48a A431.R 48D 5620 83.0 0.00348 77.0 433 317
11R48b A43l.R 48D 3100 70.6 0.00295 72.5 367 361
11F60a A431.F 60D 2610 79.6 0.00293 67.5 332 356
11F60b A432 60D 4090 78.7 0.01108 70.0 328 282
11R60a A431.R 60D 2690 78.6 0.00304 73.0 327 346
11R60b A431.R 60D 3460 87.5 0.00380 79.0 365 340

368
 8

TABLE IV. Crack widths at splice end in inches

Splice Length: lBD 24D BOD

f ; 24 ksi
s
418 Bars: .006 .007 -- -- .0081 .004 .008 -- .007 .004
.006
.002
Overall average: 0.0058"

4/ll Bars: -- .008 .004 .008 -- .004 .007 .004 -- --

,004 .008
.002 .008
.008 .004
Overall average: 0.0058"

fs = 36 ksi

418 Bars: .010 .011 -- -- .008 .006

.010
.012 -- .008 .008

.010
Overall average: 0.0093"

Ill Bars: -- .Oll .009 .010 -- .008 .012 .008 -- --

.009 .012
.006 .012
.011 .008
Overall average: 0.0097"

£8 45 ksi

#8 Bars: -- .016 -- -- .014 .016

.014
.014 -- .010 .014

.010 '
Overall average: 0.0135"

!Ill Bars: -- .014 .010 .016 -- .014 .016

.010
.014
.012
-- --
.010 .018
.016 .014
Overall average: 0.0137"
•.

TABLE ~ Study of Effect of Maximum Strain

Specimen Steel f I Calc. f Berry
c s u3.0
psi ksi psi

#8 bars I 42D lap

I
8R42a A431-R 3310 70.6 .0028 413
8F42a A432 2660 65.5 .0061 430
8F42b A432 3830 75.1 .0122 408

4fo11 bars 48D 1ap

11F48a A431-F 3140 73.5 .0026 388
11R48b A431-R 3100 70.6 .0029 373
11R48a A431-R 5620 83.0 .0035 328
11F48b A431-F 3330 72.1 .0078 348

4fo 11 bars 60Dl@.

11F60a A431-F 2610 79.6 .0029 368
11R60b A431-R 3100 70.6 .0028 360
11R60a A431-R 2690 78.6 .0030 358
11F60b A432 4090 78.7 .0111 282