Numerical evaluation of the internal fracture mechanism of horizontal loop connections in precast elements under the influence of transverse reinforcement

Abstract This study numerically evaluated the flexural capacity and fracture mechanism of precast reinforced concrete beams connected with in situ horizontal loop connections employing the three‐dimensional rigid body spring model (3D‐RBSM) for modeling of concrete and beam elements (BEs) for modeling of steel, respectively. The research analyzed the performance of continuous horizontal loop connections with and without transverse reinforcement, considering varying vertical spacing between loops and transverse steel ratios. The numerical model effectively captured the test load displacement relationships by incorporating the model parameters like Young's modulus, tensile strength, fracture energy, compressive strength, cohesion, and angle of internal friction for concrete along with mechanical properties of steel and revealed that loop joints without transverse reinforcement exhibited loop type failure. In contrast, specimens with transverse reinforcement improved the peak load and caused compression failure. It was discovered that transverse rebars on the continuous side of the joint experience more strain; particularly, the maximum strain occurred in the corner rebars within the curved sections of U‐rebars. Moreover, the increased vertical spacing between the loop rebars increased the diagonal crack propagation and demonstrated the loop‐type failure. Further, a larger circumferential area of transverse rebar offered greater bond strength and confinement to the concrete core and reproduced the maximum deformation capacity, ductility, and compression failure.