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Ijert Ijert: Reinforcement Couplers As An Alternative To Lap Splices: A Case Study
Ijert Ijert: Reinforcement Couplers As An Alternative To Lap Splices: A Case Study
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 2 Issue 2, February- 2013
Abstract Introduction
Construction practices in the building of concrete There are three basic ways to splice the bars:
structures have focused on the use of steel
reinforcement to transfer tension and shear forces.
Lap splices, Mechanical connections and
Lap splicing has become the traditional method of Welded splices. Lapped joints are not
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connecting the steel reinforcing bars. Splicing the always an appropriate means of connecting
reinforcement bars by laps or welding have various
imperfections such as low quality welds, inadequate reinforcing bars. The use of laps can be time
IIJJEE
length of laps, failure in joints, increase in labour cost consuming in terms of design and
etc. Present study was focused on the use and
installation and can lead to greater
applicability of reinforcement couplers, especially
threaded ones as an alternative to lap splices. A case congestion within the concrete because of
study of an under construction site was taken where the increased amount of rebar used [1]. It also
couplers were used. An estimation of the cost of
couplers was done. Alternatively, the cost of steel increases the overall reliability of
was also determined for providing lap splices in the reinforcement splices. Of the three, lap
columns. A comparison was done to show the splicing is the most common and usually the
difference of cost in lapping and use of couplers. It
was found that the use of reinforcement couplers least expensive. Couplers especially
significantly reduces the consumption of both threaded one can simplify the design and
construction time and reinforcing steel. It also
increases the overall reliability of reinforcement
construction of reinforced concrete and
splices. This case study included calculations for 14 reduce the amount of reinforcement
columns and showed that how couplers have required. The coupler system is designed to
effectively saved a huge amount of money in a single
building. The reinforcement couplers not only connect two pieces of rebar together in the
provide strength to the joints but they are also an field quickly and easily. Taper threaded
economic means of connections of two bars. splices utilize the time-tested, field proven
Keywords: Reinforcement couplers, Lap taper thread for assurance of strength,
consistency and reliability while simplifying
Splices, Column, Threading, Joints installation. Designed for use with
worldwide grades of rebar, they develop the
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International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 2 Issue 2, February- 2013
full tension splice strength requirement per This transfer of load is influenced by the
numerous design standards [2]. deformations, or ribs, on the rebar. In
The coupler system is available in several projects with small bar sizes such as of
styles to meet virtually any application. The number 6 or number 8, relatively low yield
applications include standard bar-to-bar stress in steel and building heights of 15
connections, precaging applications, hooked stories or less, lap splices have performed
bar applications, closure pours, precast well over the long run [5]. In recent years,
connections, rebar terminations and however, there has been a shift. Continuing
anchorages, transition splices, segmental research, more demanding designs in
construction and connections to structural concrete, new materials and the
steel. Most popular splicing systems are development of hybrid concrete/structural
Interlock, Quick wedge, Speed sleeve, steel designs have forced designers to
Terminator, Lock, Form saver, Taper thread consider alternatives to lap splicing.
splices, and Cad weld splices. Structural concrete building frames are
More and more engineers are specifying being pushed to 100 stories and more.
mechanical reinforcement connections over Current design practice for structural
lap splices. They've found that mechanical framing uses bar sizes from number 8 to
connections afford a reliability and number 11 with yields of 60 or 75 ksi. And
consistency that can't be found with lap concrete strengths of 8000 to 12,000 psi are
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splicing [3]. Lap splices depend upon accepted by code and increasingly used. Use
concrete for strength so they lack structural of higher-strength concretes allows for
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International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 2 Issue 2, February- 2013
out to study the failure of couplers under being the potter's wheel. Most suitably
tensile load and influence of reinforcement equipped metalworking lathes can also be
couplers on the cracking of reinforced used to produce most solids of revolution,
concrete members. plane surfaces and screw threads or helices.
Ornamental lathes can produce three-
Manufacturing and Specifications [6, 7] dimensional solids of incredible complexity.
The material can be held in place by either
The different steps included in the one or two centers, at least one of which can
manufacturing of reinforcement couplers be moved horizontally to accommodate
were discussed. The important criterion for varying material lengths. Other work-
the manufacturing is selection of material. holding methods include clamping the work
The study tells about the material selection about the axis of rotation using a chuck, or
for coupler and its installation. A very to a faceplate, using clamps or dogs.
important aspect of coupler selection is the The Positional coupler comprises two
specifications given for them. Each components, a male section and a female
manufacturer gives its own specification section. The male component has an internal
regarding coupler selection. The study tapered thread and an extended external
includes the specifications of a leading parallel thread. The female component has a
foreign coupler manufacture and Indian
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parallel thread and a tapered thread, both of
specification for selection of couplers given which are internal. All components,
by NCT (National Cutting Tools). including the locknut must be tightened
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International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 2 Issue 2, February- 2013
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International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 2 Issue 2, February- 2013
Table 3.0: Calculation of Cost of Couplers splice”. It is the simplest type of coupler
used in the column.
Bar Number of Total cost
diameter couplers (x) ( 36*x ) This case study shows how couplers have
(mm) effectively saved a huge amount of money
25 432 15552 in a single building. The total couplers cost
20 644 22968 Rs. 42,840 which is very less than what
would have been spent if lapping would
16 114 4104
have been done by using site method or
simply IS specification. This estimation was
Rate of reinforcement bar as per New Delhi limited only to the fourteen columns whose
rates was taken as Rs. 45 per kilogram and details were made available from the
rate of a single piece of coupler was taken as company.
Rs. 36.
The report concludes that the added
Then a comparison of the cost was done to
structural and economic advantages of
determine the amount of money saved by
mechanical splices over laps make the
the company in using couplers. This case
benefit-to-cost ratio extremely attractive
study indicates the economic advantage of
because mechanical splices give the
couplers on the normal lap splices.
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structures added toughness and load path
continuity that laps cannot offer. The
Comparison reinforcement couplers not only provide
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Finally a comparison is made between lap strength to the joints but are they are also an
splices and mechanical splices in terms of economic means of connections of two bars.
the strength, economy and feasibility. The taper-threaded splice is a widely used
mechanical splicing system worldwide.
Table 4.0: Cost Comparisons in Rs.
Coupler Lap Splice cost Lap Splice cost Splices are designed for use on worldwide
cost (site method) (IS Code) standard grades of rebar and many
international standards. No special high
strength, enlarged thread section or
42,840 1,24,247 1,31,714
increased rebar size is necessary, thus
allowing the supply of reinforced bar from
Conclusion multiple sources for maximum cost savings.
These splices are the slimmest couplers
This case study has included calculations for available today and their innovative taper-
only 14 columns whose details were threaded design makes them one of the most
available from the site. This shows that reliable systems on the market. The taper-
couplers are an effective and an economic threaded splice is a widely used mechanical
replacement of lap splice. This coupler used splicing system worldwide.
at the site is known as “tapered thread
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International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 2 Issue 2, February- 2013
The mechanical rebar couplers used on the [7] Masonry Standards Joint Committee:
project quickly and easily connect two Building Code Requirements for Masonry
pieces of rebar. The couplers use the time- Structures, 2005.
tested, field-proven taper thread for
assurance of strength, consistency and
reliability while simplifying installation and
saving time.
References:
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