439.3R-91
Mechanical Connections of Reinforcing Bars (Reapproved 1999)
1991, 12 pp.
$32.50

Properly designed splices are a key element in any well-executed design. The lap splice, when conditions permit and when it will satisfy all requirements, is generally the most common method for splicing reinforcing bars. However, when lap splices are undesirable or impractical, or when their use is not permitted by the design code or design specification, mechanical or welded connections should be used to splice the reinforcing bars. The objective of this report is to provide engineers and contractors with basic information about mechanical connections and the types of proprietary mechanical connection devices currently available, but not to state conditions of acceptance, or to endorse or rate a particular mechanical connection device over another. These mechanical connection devices are proprietary, and the information herein provided by the connector manufacturers has been compiled, but none of the information has been specifically verified by this committee. Consequently, the relative merits of the different mechanical connection devices are not noted or compared. However, the information given is useful, because it is not presently available elsewhere in such an assembled and detailed format. An attempt was made to include all the mechanical connection devices generally commercially available in North America at the time the report was written. However, it must be realized that some devices new in the market may not be in-cluded, merely due to ignorance of their existence at the time of writing. Reasons for using mechanical connections are discussed, as well as various engineering considerations that must be made when spectfying mechanical connections, such as the need to avoid notch effects in seismic joints that could result in the bar rupturing at one location before it yields generally elsewhere. Mechanical connection devices are described in terms of configuration, procedure for connecting, clearance requirements, and other characteristics. Illustrations of the various mechanical connection devices are included.

Contents:
Chapter 1--General

1.1--Introduction

1.2--Usage

1.3--General considerations

Chapter 2--Design requirements for mechanical connections

2.1--Codes and specifications

Chapter 3--Mechanical connection devices and installation descriptions

3.1--General

3.2--Compression-only mechanical connections

3.3--Tension-compression mechanical connections

3.4--Dowel bar mechanical connection systems

3.5--Tension-only mechanical connection

Chapter 4--Summary

Chapter 5--References

5.1--Specified and recommended references

5.2--Cited reference