Construction and Building Materials 105 (2016) 343355

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Construction and Building Materials

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/conbuildmat

Effect of joint interface conditions on shear transfer behavior of recycled

aggregate concrete
Jianzhuang Xiao a,, Chang Sun a, David A. Lange b
a
b

Department of Structural Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois, 2129B NCEL, USA

h i g h l i g h t s

Effect of joint interface conditions on shear transfer behavior of RAC was tested.

RCA replacement ratio negatively affects the aggregate interlock action of RAC.

The shear stress in RAC with uncracked or cold-joint interfaces was predicted.

a r t i c l e

i n f o

Article history:
Received 15 February 2015
Received in revised form 11 September
2015
Accepted 5 December 2015

Keywords:
Recycled aggregate concrete (RAC)
Joint interface
Shear transfer behavior
Aggregate interlock
Recycled coarse aggregate (RCA)
replacement ratio

a b s t r a c t
In this study, 38 uncracked and cold-joint push-off specimens were tested to explore how joint interface
characteristics affect shear transfer behavior of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). The major test variables included the recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) replacement ratio and joint interfaces. The results
indicate that the shear transfer behavior of RAC with different joint interfaces is similar to that of conventional concrete. It was shown that the RCA replacement ratio has some effect on the ultimate shear transfer strength. The joint interface has great influence on the shear transfer behavior of RAC. Aggregate
interlock, bond, and doweling action are aspects of the joint surface condition that effect shear transfer.
The RCA replacement ratio negatively affects the aggregate interlock action of RAC. This paper demonstrates that design equations in ACI and PCI codes are conservative and effective for predicting the shear
stress in RAC specimens with uncracked or cold-joint interfaces.
2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
Recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) is an effective strategy for
improving the sustainability of civil infrastructure. RAC is implemented by using recycled aggregates instead of natural aggregates
[1]. In recent years, a large amount of waste concrete has been produced from demolition of old buildings and natural disasters such
as the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake and the 2010 Yushu earthquake
in China [2]. To solve environment and resource problems and to
achieve sustainable development of the construction industry,
the Chinese government actively supports the development of
RAC. Previous investigations have shown that recycled aggregates
have low apparent density, high water absorption and high porosity [3,4] due to old cement mortar attached to RCA surfaces and
micro-cracks produced in the crushing process. Consequently, the
mechanical properties of RAC are typically different from conven Corresponding author.
E-mail address: jzx@tongji.edu.cn (J. Xiao).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.12.015
0950-0618/ 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

tional concrete made with the same mixture proportions. RAC

properties such as compressive strength and elastic modulus are
lower than those of conventional concrete with same water-tocement ratio [57]. And many studies have shown that the RCA
replacement ratio has a large effect on mechanical properties [8].
In the design of reinforced concrete structures, shear transfer
across a certain plane should be considered for deep beams, corbels, shear walls, and concrete construction joints. Shear forces
are transferred by mechanisms corresponding to cracking (e.g.
bond action, aggregate interlock, dowel action) [9]. Many scholars
have conducted tests using push-off specimens to investigate the
interfacial shear transfer capacities. The concrete strength, reinforcement ratio and the joint surface condition (uncracked, precracked and cold-joint) are the main factors considered in the tests.
Anderson [10] and Hanson [11] initially conducted tests on coldjoint push-off specimens, and proposed the equations to predict
the ultimate shear transfer stress of cold-joint specimens. Mattock
and Hawkins [12] carried out shear transfer tests on pre-cracked
and uncracked push-off specimens, and provided an equation

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J. Xiao et al. / Construction and Building Materials 105 (2016) 343355

Nomenclature
fcu1
0
fc

qv
fy

cube compressive strength of concrete (test day)

cylinder compressive strength of concrete (test day),
0
f c = 0.79 fcu
reinforcement ratio normal to the shear plane
(qv = Av/Ac, Av = 402 mm2, Ac = 36,000 mm2)
yield strength of horizontal restraint steel

which related shear transfer strength to the concrete strength,

reinforcement ratio and clamping force. Kahn and Mitchell [13]
tested high-strength concrete push-off specimens with three types
of connections, and proposed a new equation to predict the shear
transfer strength of cold-joint and uncracked specimens. Xiao
et al. [14] tested the shear transfer behavior of high-strength concrete at elevated temperatures. Crack width, aggregate size and
Table 1
Physical properties of RCA and NCA.
Coarse
aggregate

Crush
index
(%)

Bulk
density
(kg m3)

Apparent
density
(kg m3)

Water
absorption
(%)

Silt
content
(%)

RCA
NCA

10.0
3.5

1320
1465

2500
2810

5.6
0.6

3.5
0.9

Table 2
Mechanical properties of steel.
Steel bars

Yield strength fy (MPa)

Modulus of
elasticity E (105 MPa)

HPB235
HRB335

325
549.4

2.109
1.96

Pu

ultimate shear load

ultimate shear stress (su = Pu/Ac)
crack width at the ultimate shear load
shear slip at the ultimate shear load

su

wu
Du

temperature effect are among the factors that influence the shear
transfer capacity of conventional concrete [1517].
Shear friction is a concept which is applicable to design provisions for shear transferred across a certain plane. Birkeland and
Birkeland [18] in 1966 were first to describe the shear force transfer mechanism at a concrete-to-concrete interface. Guided by the
concept, formulas have been proposed to calculate the shear transfer stress for conventional concrete, high-strength concrete, lightweight concrete and so on [1922]. Walraven and Reinhardt [23]
proposed a simplified physical model to account for the aggregate
interlock in concrete by treating concrete as a two-phase material
consisting of coarse aggregates and cement mortar.
The authors [24] conducted experiments on pre-cracked specimens of RAC, and analyzed the influence of RAC strength, RCA
replacement ratio and reinforcement ratio. However, the effect of
joint surface conditions and the aggregate interlock action of RAC
were not considered at that time. In this paper, pre-cracked,
uncracked and cold-joint specimens were tested to study the shear
transfer behavior of RAC with different joint interface details.

2. Research significance
Shear transfer mechanisms and aggregate interlock action with
different joint interfaces are of great importance to the shear

Table 3
Mix proportions of concrete (kg/m3).
RCA Replacement ratio

W/C

C (kg)

S (kg)

NCA (kg)

RCA (kg)

Mixing water (kg)

Additional water (kg)

M1
M2
M3
M4
M5
M6
M7

0
30
50
70
100
100
100

0.488
0.481
0.474
0.457
0.43
0.488
0.388

373
385
390
405
430
373
430

730
723
744
730
700
730
700

1120
742
510
300
0
0
0

0
318
510
700
950
1120
1000

182
185
185
185
185
182
165

0
12.72
20.4
28
38
44.8
40

40

165

120

150
80

4 14

110 100 110

400

section A-A
30

600

165

110

8@70mm

165

8@70mm

4 14

210

65

30

Mix

135 60
400

Fig. 1. The dimensions and reinforcements of specimens (unit: mm).

J. Xiao et al. / Construction and Building Materials 105 (2016) 343355

345

Fig. 3. The photo of test specimens and setup.

Fig. 2. Cold-joint specimen prior to casting.

The reinforced steel stirrups were HPB235 round steel bar with a diameter of
8 mm and the reinforcement perpendicular to stirrups was HRB335 ribbed steel
bar with a diameter of 14 mm. The dimensions and mechanical properties are listed
in Table 2.

Table 4
Basic information of push-off specimens.
Specimen

RCA replacement ratio (%)

Number of stirrups

Mix

Piece

NC-1-U
RC-2-U
RC-3-U
RC-4-U
RC-5-U
RC-6-U
RC-7-U
NC-1-C
RC-2-C
RC-3-C
RC-4-C
RC-5-C
RC-6-C
RC-7-C

0
30
50
70
100
100
100
0
30
50
70
100
100
100

4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4

M1
M2
M3
M4
M5
M6
M7
M1
M2
M3
M4
M5
M6
M7

5
1
5
1
5
1
1
5
1
5
1
5
1
1

design of RAC structures. The uncracked state and pre-cracked

state represent the normal working situation, and the case with
an existing crack represents the worst-case working situation.
The cold-joint state can be used to simulate an interface between
concretes cast at different time. Previous research has shown that
the shear stress transfer capability and the mechanism of aggregate interlock across cracks in RAC will be influenced by the joint
surface conditions. However, the effect of this factor has not been
well understood. This paper considers the influence of different
joint surface conditions (such as uncracked, pre-cracked and
cold-joint) on the shear transfer behavior and shear transfer mechanism. This study will further confirm the effect of RCA replacement ratios on both ultimate shear transfer stress and aggregate
interlock, and prove the adequacy of current code provisions for
RAC structures.
3. Experimental descriptions

3.2. Mix proportions

Seven different concrete mixture proportions, summarized in Table 3, were
designed using the method presented by Xiao et al. [1]. The water is divided into
net water consumption and additional water consumption. The mixing water in
Table 3 refers to the net water consumption. The additional water consumption
refers to the effective water absorption of RCAs, which is the 80% of the water
absorption. The measured effective water absorption was about 4%. M1M5 were
designed as one series of concrete with similar concrete strength but different
RCA replacement ratios. M5M7 presented another series with a 100% RCA replacement ratio but different concrete strength.

3.3. Specimen design

The dimensions and reinforcements of the push-off specimens are shown in
Fig. 1. Two v-slots on the top and bottom of the specimen ensured that the initial
crack appeared and developed in the shear plane. The length of v-slot was
300 mm and the depth was 15 mm. The shear plane surface area was
36,000 mm2. Horizontal restraint steel stirrups were placed across the shear plane
vertically, the numbers of stirrups in the test were four closed stirrups of HPB235.
The stirrup near the shear plane was wrapped by soft plastic tube that was 40 mm
long, shown in Fig. 2. This measure was intended to weaken the steel bars dowel
action at the shear plane, which have been proved by Walraven and Reinhardt [23].
Basic information for the push-off specimens is presented in Table 4. The specimen name is explained as follows: the first letters before the first hyphen - means
the aggregate type (NC for natural aggregate, RC for recycled aggregate); the
numeral after the first hyphen represents the mix type (M1M7 in Table 3); the letter after the second hyphen expresses U for the uncracked interface condition or C
for the cold-joint interface; the last letter indicates replicate specimens. For each
concrete mixture, the push-off specimens were cast along with six
100  100  100 mm cubes and 300  100  100 mm prisms. After 48 h, all specimens, cubes and prisms were demolded and moved in the curing room for curing.
After 28 days, all of them were removed into the laboratory.
All the uncracked specimens were cast monolithically. For the cold-joint specimens shown in Fig. 2, the right half of specimens were cast first, and two days later
the left halves were then cast. The cold-joint surfaces were cast as smooth surfaces.

3.1. Materials
3.4. Test facility, instrumentation and test procedure
The coarse aggregates used in the tests were natural coarse aggregates (NCAs)
and recycled coarse aggregates (RCAs). The RCAs were obtained by crushing abandoned concrete. Both NCAs and RCAs were 526.5 mm continuous gradation. The
physical properties of RCAs and NCAs are given in Table 1. The fine aggregate used
was river sand. Mixing water was tap water, and the cement was PO42.5 Portland
cement.

Tests of the push-off specimens were conducted using the computer controlled
electro-hydraulic servo testing machine with the capacity of 3000 kN at Tongji
University. Fig. 3 is the uncracked specimens testing device schematic. The load
was applied through a knife edge loading head and a roller. The loading was applied
at 0.05 mm/min in displacement control.

J. Xiao et al. / Construction and Building Materials 105 (2016) 343355

Steel bar

220

Glass sheet

220

346

160

80

80

Welding point
Glass sheet

220

220

Fixed point
Fixed point
110

180

Steel bar
110

(a) LVDTs measuring crack width

110

180

110

(b) LVDTs measuring slip

Fig. 4. The photo of displacement transducer arrangement.

Fig. 5. Typical uncracked specimens after failure.

Fig. 6. Typical cold-joint specimens after failure.

Linear variable displacement transducers (LVDTs) were used to measure the

displacement as shown in Fig. 4. On one side of the specimen, the crack
width was measured by three LVDTs. On the other side, two LVDTs were arranged
vertically to measure slip. Electrical resistance strain gauges were applied to
monitor the strain in the horizontal restraint stirrup near the shear plane.
In order to mount the LVDTs, eight holes were drilled at the corresponding
positions and anchors were glued into the holes with epoxy resin two days before
testing.

4. Experimental results
4.1. Failure modes
For the uncracked specimens, the initial cracks appeared on the
two sides of specimen near the loading point. As the load increased
to 50% ultimate shear load, some visible crack appeared along the

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J. Xiao et al. / Construction and Building Materials 105 (2016) 343355

(a) uncracked specimens (b) pre-cracked specimens[24]

(c) cold-joint specimens

Fig. 7. Typical specimens for three joint surfaces after failure.

Table 5
Mechanical properties and test results of push-off specimens.
Specimen No.

fcu1 (MPa)

f c (MPa)

qvfy (MPa)

Pu (kN)

P u (kN)

NC-1-U-A
NC-1-U-B
NC-1-U-C
NC-1-U-D
NC-1-U-E
RC-2-U
RC-3-U-A
RC-3-U-B
RC-3-U-C
RC-3-U-D
RC-3-U-E
RC-4-U
RC-5-U-A
RC-5-U-B
RC-5-U-C
RC-5-U-D
RC-5-U-E
RC-6-U
RC-7-U
NC-1-C-A
NC-1-C-B
NC-1-C-C
NC-1-C-D
NC-1-C-E
RC-2-C
RC-3-C-A
RC-3-C-B
RC-3-C-C
RC-3-C-D
RC-3-C-E
RC-4-C
RC-5-C-A
RC-5-C-B
RC-5-C-C
RC-5-C-D
RC-5-C-E
RC-6-C
RC-7-C

39.16

30.94

3.63

308.22

39.76
32.46

31.41
25.64

3.63
3.63

38.05
38.94

30.06
30.76

3.63
3.63

29.66
41.81
39.16

23.43
33.03
30.94

3.63
3.63
3.63

39.76
32.46

31.41
25.64

3.63
3.63

38.05
38.94

30.06
30.76

3.63
3.63

29.66
41.81

23.43
33.03

3.63
3.63

304.30
325.70
311.30
288.30
311.50
282.40
283.00
283.10
269.90
278.90
281.40
314.20
267.50
285.10
259.30
267.40
295.60
292.20
287.80
107.6
160.1
113.8
92.7
117.7
146.3
111.7
148.7
117.6
164.8
81.8
129.7
158.4
212.7
172.5
145.6
102.1
191.4
206.7

shear plane. The crack width and shear slip increased along with
the increasing of shear loading. When reaching the ultimate shear
load, the crack width and shear slip increased rapidly. Eventually,
the test ended when the crack width and shear slip became large
resulting in shear plane crushing. Typical specimens after failure
are shown in Fig. 5. The main shear cracks opened along the shear
plane, and appeared approximately linear and slightly serrated.
For the cold-joint specimens, the initial cracks along the shear
plane were observed at 80% of the ultimate shear load. Small cracks
started to appear on the two sides of specimens and the loading

282.40
279.26

314.20
274.98

292.20
287.80
118.38

146.3
124.92

129.7
158.26

191.4
206.7

su (MPa)

wu (mm)

Du (mm)

8.45
9.05
8.65
8.01
8.65
7.84
7.86
7.86
7.50
7.75
7.82
8.73
7.43
7.92
7.20
7.43
8.21
8.12
7.99
2.99
4.45
3.16
2.58
3.27
4.06
3.10
4.13
3.27
4.58
2.27
3.60
4.40
5.91
4.79
4.04
2.84
5.32
5.74

0.64
0.83
0.78
0.53
0.62
1.16
0.97
0.71
0.80
1.37
1.18
0.54
0.61
0.81
0.99
0.53
0.49
0.74
0.53
0.04
0.1
0.06
0.11
0.08
0.09
0.12
0.11
0.13
0.09
0.04
0.12
0.13
0.2
0.17
0.2
0.09
0.25
0.19

0.08
0.22
0.29
0.29
0.25
0.39
0.29
0.09
0.34
0.56
0.60
0.14
0.31
0.31
0.11
0.09
0.30
0.53
0.18
0.02
0.17
0.002
0.11
0.001
0.04
0.18
0.002
0.001
0.05
0.1
0.14
0.002
0.05
0.17
0.25
0.08
0.03
0.003

point, and developed slowly. The crack width remained very small
until failure. When reaching the ultimate shear load, the crack
width along the shear plane increased slowly and the shear slip
increased rapidly. The failure pictures of cold-joint specimens are
shown in Fig. 6. The main shear cracks appeared linear, and
appeared more fine and straight than those of uncracked
specimens.
Typical failed specimens for the three joint surfaces are shown
in Fig. 7. The shape of the main shear crack for pre-cracked and
uncracked specimens are similar to each other; both appeared

top
middle
bottom

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

top
middle
bottom

0.0

crack width (mm)

0.5

9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

top
middle
bottom

0.5

1.0

1.5

1.5

2.0

2.5

top
middle
bottom

0.0

2.0

2.5

top
middle
bottom

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

2.0

2.5

top
middle
bottom

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

crack width (mm)

(f) RC-5-U-C

shear stress (MPa)

1.5

9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

crack width (mm)

(e) RC-4-U

1.0

(c) RC-3-U-A

9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

crack width (mm)

0.5

crack width (mm)

(b) RC-2-U

shear stress (MPa)

shear stress (MPa)

(a) NC-1-U-D

0.0

1.0

9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

crack width (mm)

shear stress (MPa)

0.0

9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

shear stress (MPa)

9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

shear stress (MPa)

J. Xiao et al. / Construction and Building Materials 105 (2016) 343355

shear stress (MPa)

348

(g) RC-6-U

9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

top
middle
bottom

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

crack width (mm)

(h) RC-7-U
Fig. 8. Typical shear stress crack width curves for uncracked specimens.

approximately linear and slightly serrated. The main shear crack

for the cold-joint specimen is more fine and straight because there
is no aggregate interlock.

4.2. Test results

The results of push-off specimen tests are presented in Table 5.
The ultimate shear stress su of uncracked specimens is 79 MPa
and the distribution is concentrated. The shear slips of uncracked
specimens at the ultimate shear load is in the range of
00.6 mm. The ultimate shear stress su of cold-joint specimens is
26 MPa, and the values are more dispersed than for uncracked
specimens. The shear slips of cold-joint specimens at the ultimate
shear load is in the range of 00.30 mm, and the average values are
lower than that of uncracked specimens. For the uncracked specimens, no obvious difference has been observed comparing the test
results (the ultimate shear strength, crack width and shear slip) of
conventional concrete to those of RAC, similar phenomenon was
also observed for the cold-joint specimens. So in the case of
uncracked and cold-joint interfaces, the shear capacity of RAC is
similar to that of conventional concrete.

4.3. Shear stress- crack width curves

The uncracked specimens shear stress crack width curves are
shown in Fig. 8, and all curves are similar in shape. The response
may be divided into three stages. Stage I: linear elastic behavior
is observed before cracking occurs along the shear plane; Stage
II: after about 50% of the ultimate shear stress, initial cracks begin
to appear near the shear surface, the crack width grows rapidly
with the increasing load, until the ultimate shear load; Stage III:
the curve decreases at a reduced slope, eventually to a horizontal
line. At this stage, the steel dowel action is remaining mechanism
resisting shearing load.
From Fig. 9, it can be seen that the cold-joint specimens curves
shape are slightly different for the various concrete mixtures. All of
them, however, can be divided into four stages. Stage I: linear elastic behavior is observed before cracking until about 80% of the ultimate shear stress is reached; Stage II: this phase is very short and
characterized by a convex curve as the crack width grows until
ultimate shear stress; Stage III: the shear stress drops to 70% of
ultimate shear stress quickly, and bond along the shear plane fails;
Stage IV: a horizontal section of the curve occurs when shear load
is borne by the steel which plastically deforms.

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J. Xiao et al. / Construction and Building Materials 105 (2016) 343355

3
2
1
0

4
3
2
1
0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

4
3
2
1

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

crack width (mm)

crack width (mm)

crack width (mm)

(a) NC-1-C-B

(b) RC-2-C

(c) RC-3-C-B

top
middle
bottom

6
5
4
3
2
1

top
middle
bottom

5
4
3
2
1
0

0.0

0
0.0

shear stress (MPa)

0.0

shear stress (MPa)

shear stress (MPa)

top
middle
bottom

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

5
4
3
2
1
0

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

crack width (mm)

crack width (mm)

crack width (mm)

(e) RC-4-C

(f) RC-5-C-D

(g) RC-6-C

1.0

top
middle
bottom

shear stress (MPa)

1.0

top
middle
bottom

shear stress (MPa)

shear stress (MPa)

top
middle
bottom

shear stress (MPa)

top
middle
bottom

5
4
3
2
1
0
0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

crack width (mm)

(h) RC-7-C
Fig. 9. Typical shear stress crack width curves for cold-joint specimens.

4.4. Shear stress-shear slip curves

Typical uncracked specimens shear stress shear slip curves
are displayed in Fig. 10. Curves for all concrete mixtures show
similar trends. The curves can be divided into three stages. Stage
I: linear elastic behavior is seen up to 80% of ultimate shear stress;
Stage II: the curves deviate from linear elastic before peak load as
the shear slip extends above 80% of the ultimate shear stress; Stage
III: the curve decreases at a reduced slope, eventually to a horizontal line. The shear slip (Fig. 10) develops later than crack widths
(Fig. 8), because the mechanism of bond connection between left
and right concrete parts will contribute in the shear transfer process of uncracked specimens. At the beginning of loading, the concrete is uncracked. With the increase of the shear load, some
tension cracks occur along the shear plane, and the crack width
develops. When the maximum load capacity is reached, debonding
occurs at the concrete-to-concrete interface, then the slip occurs
[25].
The shear stress shear slip curves for cold-joint specimens are
displayed in Fig. 11. While there are some differences seen for different concrete mixtures, the overall trends are roughly the same.

Similar to the cold-joint specimens shear stress crack width

curves, the curve can be divided into same four stages. Stages II
and III are noteworthy because they are very short compared with
the shear stress crack width curves for the same materials. This
occurs because the cold-joint surface is smooth without any benefit of aggregate interlock action. When the crack width is small, the
shear slip is very limited. As the load increased, due to slippage, the
shear reinforcement will be subjected to shear, the resistance of
the bars usually referred to as dowel action. After the bond fails,
the shear load is mainly carried by the dowel action [12].

5. Experimental analysis
5.1. Effect of concrete strength
Research has shown that, for conventional concrete, an increase
in concrete strength will not cause a proportionate increase in ultimate shear stress [26,27]. In this paper, M5M7 were designed to
study the relationship between concrete strength and ultimate
shear stress for RAC concrete materials. Fig. 12a shows the ulti-

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J. Xiao et al. / Construction and Building Materials 105 (2016) 343355

shear stress (MPa)

shear stress (MPa)

NC-1-U-A
NC-1-U-B
NC-1-U-C
NC-1-U-D
NC-1-U-E

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

RC-3-U-A
RC-3-U-B
RC-3-U-C
RC-3-U-D
RC-3-U-E

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0

0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0

slip (mm)

slip (mm)

shear stress (MPa)

(a) RCA replacement ratio 0% (NC-1-U)

(b) RCA replacement ratio 50% (RC-3-U)

RC-5-U-A
RC-5-U-B
RC-5-U-C
RC-5-U-D
RC-5-U-E

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0

slip (mm)

(c) RCA replacement ratio 100% (RC-5-U)

Fig. 10. Typical uncracked specimens shear stress shear slip curves.

NC-1-C-A
NC-1-C-B
NC-1-C-C
NC-1-C-D
NC-1-C-E

shear stress (MPa)

6
5

RC-3-C-A
RC-3-C-B
RC-3-C-C
RC-3-C-D
RC-3-C-E

7
6

shear stress (MPa)

4
3
2
1
0

5
4
3
2
1
0

0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0

0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0

slip (mm)

slip (mm)

(a) RCA replacement ratio 0%(NC-1-C)

(b) RCA replacement ratio 50%(RC-3-C)

RC-5-C-A
RC-5-C-B
RC-5-C-C
RC-5-C-D
RC-5-C-E

shear stress (MPa)

6
5
4
3
2
1
0

0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0

slip (mm)

(c) RCA replacement ratio 100%(RC-5-C)

Fig. 11. Typical cold-joint specimens shear stress shear slip curves.

351

J. Xiao et al. / Construction and Building Materials 105 (2016) 343355

RC-6-U
RC-5-U
RC-7-U

350
300

RC-6-C
RC-5-C
RC-7-C

250

Shear load (kN)

Shear load (kN)

200
250
200
150
100

150

100

50
50
0

0
20

25

30

35

40

20

25

Concrete strength (MPa)

30

35

40

Concrete strength (MPa)

(a) Uncracked specimens

(b) Cold-joint specimens

Fig. 12. Effects of concrete strength on shear load.

Shear load (kN)

350

300

250

200

NC-1-C
RC-2-C
RC-3-C
RC-4-C
RC-5-C

300

Shear load (kN)

NC-1-U
RC-2-U
RC-3-U
RC-4-U
RC-5-U

400

240

180

120

60
0

50

100

50

100

Recycled aggregate replacement (%)

Recycled aggregate replacement (%)

(a) Uncracked specimens

(b) Cold-joint specimens

Fig. 13. Ultimate shear load for different joint interfaces with different RCA replacement ratio.

Table 6
The coefficient of variation of uncracked and cold-joint push-off specimens.
Specimen

RCA replacement ratio (%)

CV (%)

NC-1-U
RC-3-U
RC-5-U
NC-1-C
RC-3-C
RC-5-C

0
50
100
0
50
100

4.4
1.9
5.4
21.3
26.1
25.4

mate shear load of uncracked specimens for those three concrete

mixtures. From Reference [23], it can be seen when the difference
among concrete strength is small, concrete strength has no significant effect on the ultimate shear load. By comparing specimens
with compressive strengths of 19.9 MPa, 31.4 MPa and 56.1 MPa,
the conclusion that fc is one of the influencing parameter in shear
friction capacity can be made. Also, from the section 5.3 Dispersion analysis and Ref. [23], the dispersion of the shear stress of
both conventional concrete and RAC are large. There are no replicate specimens in M6 and M7 mixes. The results of RC-6 and RC7 may not represent the shear stress of M6 and M7 accurately.
The results in this paper show that RAC strength has no significant
effect on the ultimate shear load of RAC uncracked push-off specimens with concrete cylinder compressive strength ranging from
23.43 to 33.03 MPa.

The ultimate shear load of cold-joint specimens with M5M7

are shown in Fig. 12b. Again, RAC strength has no significant effect
on ultimate shear load. It can be observed that the concrete
strength has little effect on the ultimate shear load of RAC with
concrete strength ranging from 23.43 to 33.03 MPa.
5.2. Effect of recycled aggregate replacement ratio
In addition to the effect of concrete strength, this paper considers the effect of RCA replacement ratio on the shear transfer properties of RAC. The results of M1M5 for uncracked specimens are
shown in Fig. 13a. NC-1-U, RC-3-U and RC-5-U are uncracked specimens with the same concrete strength and different RCA replacement ratio. Each group consists of five replicate specimens. The
average values of ultimate shear load for those three groups are
connected by line. The compressive strength of M3 is a little different (25.65 MPa) from the others (about 30 MPa). In this paper, it is
found that when the difference among concrete strength is small,
the concrete compressive strength has no significant effect on
the shear transfer properties. So this difference has little influence
on these experimental results. It can be seen in Fig. 13a, on the
whole, ultimate shear load decreases with the increasing RCA
replacement ratio.
The results for M1M5 cold-joint specimens are illustrated in
Fig. 13b. With the increasing RCA replacement ratio, the ultimate

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J. Xiao et al. / Construction and Building Materials 105 (2016) 343355

10
9

NC-1-U-E
NC-1-C-A
N-14b

8
7

shear stress (MPa)

shear stress (MPa)

10
9

6
5
4
3
2
1
0

RC-3-U-A
RC-3-C-A
R50-74b

8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5

0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5

slip (mm)

slip (mm)

(a) RCA replacement ratio 0% (M1)

(b) RCA replacement ratio 50% (M3)

10

RC-5-U-A
RC-5-C-A
R-44b

shear stress (MPa)

8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5

slip (mm)

(c) RCA replacement ratio 100% (M5)

Fig. 14. Shear stress shear slip curves for three joint surfaces.

(a) uncracked specimens

(b) cold-joint specimens

Fig. 15. Crack surface structure.

shear load increases. For cold-joint specimens, the joint interface is

smooth, under shear load there is no aggregate interlock action.
The bond at the interface is the primary factor that controls ultimate shear load. From Table 3, it can be observed that with the
increasing of the RCA replacement ratio, the amount of cement
used in M1M5 increases. The bond connection between concrete
parts will be enhanced when the concrete mix uses more cement.
So for cold-joint specimens in this investigation, the watercement
ratio is more influential than the RCA replacement ratio.
5.3. Dispersion analysis
Defects in RCAs cause large dispersion of the basic mechanical
properties of RAC. Specimen sets NC-1-U, RC-3-U, and RC-5-U were
designed to study the variation coefficient of push-off specimens.

The Coefficient of Variances(CVs) are listed in Table 6. The CVs of

three groups are in the range of 1.95.4%. The ultimate shear load
values and the RCA replacement ratio values are independent,
which suggests the dispersion in results for uncracked conventional concrete specimens is similar to the dispersion for
uncracked RAC specimens.
The CVs for NC-1-C, RC-3-C and RC-5-C are calculated and
listed in Table 6. The CVs of three groups are in the range of
21.326.1% which is much higher than that of uncracked specimens. One explanation is that it is difficult to control the cast
quality of a cold-joint interface, and so greater variability is introduced. While the differences among those three groups is small,
it can be seen that the RCA replacement ratio has little effect
on the CVs for both uncracked specimens and cold-joint
specimens.

353

M1
M3
M5

0.35

45

0.3

180
40
160
35
140
30

120

0.25

u / f'c

200

Standard deviation (%)

Value of aggregate interlock action (kN)

J. Xiao et al. / Construction and Building Materials 105 (2016) 343355

0.2

Mattock and Hawkins [12]

Loov and Patnaik [19]

0.15

Mansur et al. [20]

0.1

Test data(0%)

0.05

Test data(50%)
Test data(100%)

0
0
100

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

50

0.3

0.35

0.4

0.45

v fy / f'c

25
0

0.25

100

(a) Comparison between test results and

model equations for uncracked specimens

Recycled aggregate replacement (%)

Fig. 16. Effects of recycled aggregate replacement ratio on aggregate interlock
action.

0.4
0.35
0.3

5.4. Effect of joint interface

5.5. Aggregate interlock action

Walraven and Reinhardt [23] proposed a model to account for
the aggregate interlock in concrete. In this model, concrete was
treated as a two-phase material consisting of coarse aggregates
and cement mortar. In general, the strength and stiffness of the
aggregate must be greater than hardened cement mortar. However, the interface of two materials in the transition zone is the
weakest part of the system. Therefore, cracks usually propagate
through the mortar and around the surface of coarse aggregate.
The aggregates can be modeled as spheres with a probability distribution used to determine the depth that aggregate embeds into the

u / f'c

0.2
ACI [21]
PCI [22]
Test data(0%)
Test data(50%)
Test data(100%)

0.15
0.1
0.05
0
0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

v fy / f'c

(b) Comparison between test results and

code values for uncracked specimens
0.3
0.25
0.2

u / f'c

The joint interface condition is a very important factor for shear

transfer mechanism of RAC. The uncracked specimens were
designed to analyze the reinforced concrete member under shear
load, and the pre-cracked specimens are designed to analyze the
member working with cracks. The shear transfer mechanism of
pre-cracked specimens is similar to that of uncracked specimens
with the primary difference being the lack of the bond action.
Research on the cold-joint specimens shows that the shear transfer
strength of cold-joint specimens would be expected to be lowest of
these specimen types because there is no aggregate interlock
action in the shear transfer mechanism of cold-joint specimens
(smooth interface).
It is well known that the shear transfer capability across a certain plane in concrete, through mechanisms such as concrete bond
action, aggregate interlock action and dowel action, contributes
significantly to the shear strength of concrete structures. In order
to simplify the analysis, the ultimate shear load for uncracked
specimens will be divided into three main parts: V1, means aggregate interlock action; V2, means bond action; V3, means dowel
action. By the same token, the ultimate shear load for precracked specimens will be simplified as the sum of two parts: V1
and V3. The ultimate shear load for cold-joint specimens will be
simplified as the sum of V2 and V3. Typical uncracked and coldjoint specimens are chosen from group M1, M3 and M5 to analyze
the ultimate shear transfer load. A comparison of the behavior of
those specimens with pre-cracked specimens tested previously
by Xiao et al. [24] is shown in Fig. 14. Fig. 14 shows that the ultimate shear stress of uncracked specimens is the highest and the
values for cold-joint specimens are the lowest.

0.25

0.15
0.1

ACI [21]
PCI [22]
Test data(0%)
Test data(50%)
Test data(100%)

0.05
0
0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

v fy / f'c

(c) Comparison between test results and

code values for cold-joint specimens
Fig. 17. Comparisons between test results and available equations with different
joint interfaces.

crack surface. Models for different joint surface conditions are

shown in Fig. 15.
Through this kind of simplification, the value of aggregate interlock action can be calculated by Eqs. (1) and (2) as follows:

r rpu Ax  lAy

s rpu Ay lAx

where l is the coefficient of friction, rpu is the matrix yielding

stress, Ax and Ay are the average surface area of the projection in
the Y and X direction under the unit crack area.

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J. Xiao et al. / Construction and Building Materials 105 (2016) 343355

M1M5 are five concrete mixtures with the same concrete

strength but different RCA replacement ratios. Groups M1, M3
and M5 all have five replicate specimens. The results for M1, M3
and M5 are listed in Fig. 16. The values shown in the table are average values. From Fig. 16, it can be seen that with the increasing RCA
replacement ratio, the value of aggregate interlock action
decreases and the standard deviation increases. The decreasing of
aggregate interlock action may be caused by the poor properties
of RCA. The properties of RAC are mainly affected by the old
cement mortar attached to RCA surface. Due to the initial damage
and degradation of old mortar, cracks of recycled concrete are
mainly through the old mortar and old interfacial transition zone.
So the diameter of aggregate participating in aggregate interlock
action is reduced. The aggregate interlock action will be weaken.
6. Evaluation of available equations
6.1. Evaluation for uncracked specimens
Prior to the 1960s, many experiments had been conducted to
study the shear transfer behavior of concrete. With the development of this research area, many modified formulas suitable for
uncracked specimens have been proposed.
In 1972, Mattock and Hawkins [12] provided a generalized
expression which included the effect of external stresses on the
shear plane, as follows:

su
0

fc

qv f y rn
c
0 l
0
fc
fc

 0:3

where c = 2.8 MPa and l = 0.8, and this equation is only suitable for

qvfy P 1.4 MPa.

Loov and Patnaik [19] put forward the single curve formulation,
as follows:

su
0
fc

qv f y

0:573

!0:45
 0:3

0
fc

Compared with large amount of push-off tests, a new trilinear

formulation was proposed by Mansur et al. [20]:

 
8
q f
qv f y
>
< 0:075
2:5 fv0 y
>
f 0c
>
c
>
<


su
q
f
q f
v y
0:56
0:075  fv0 y  0:27
0:385 0:55
0
f 0c
f 0c
c
fc >
>
>
>
qv f y
: 0:3
>
0:27
f0

The shear transfer stress was given in Eq. (6) in ACI [21], Eq. (7)
in PCI [22].

su
0
fc

su
0

fc

q fy
5:5
1:4 v0  0:2  0
fc
fc

8
<
: 1:4

1:4

2:07
qv f y

qv f y
f 0c

0:5

f 0c

Specimen

Test (MPa)

ACI (MPa)

Test/ACI

PCI (MPa)

Test/PCI

NC-1-U-A
NC-1-U-B
NC-1-U-C
NC-1-U-D
NC-1-U-E

8.453
9.047
8.647
8.008
8.653

5.082
5.082
5.082
5.082
5.082

1.663
1.780
1.702
1.576
1.703

5.082
5.082
5.082
5.082
5.082

1.663
1.780
1.702
1.576
1.703

RC-2-U
RC-3-U-A
RC-3-U-B
RC-3-U-C
RC-3-U-D
RC-3-U-E

7.844
7.861
7.864
7.497
7.747
7.817

5.082
5.082
5.082
5.082
5.082
5.082

1.544
1.547
1.547
1.475
1.524
1.538

5.082
5.082
5.082
5.082
5.082
5.082

1.544
1.547
1.547
1.475
1.524
1.538

RC-4-U
RC-5-U-A
RC-5-U-B
RC-5-U-C
RC-5-U-D
RC-5-U-E

8.728
7.431
7.919
7.203
7.428
8.211

5.082
5.082
5.082
5.082
5.082
5.082

1.717
1.462
1.558
1.417
1.462
1.616

5.082
5.082
5.082
5.082
5.082
5.082

1.717
1.462
1.558
1.417
1.462
1.616

RC-6-U

8.117

4.686

1.732

5.082

1.597

RC-7-U

7.994

5.082

1.573

5.082

1.573

Table 8
The shear strength su from the test and codes (cold-joint specimens).
Specimen

Test (MPa)

ACI (MPa)

Test/ACI

PCI (MPa)

Test/PCI

NC-1-C-A
NC-1-C-B
NC-1-C-C
NC-1-C-D
NC-1-C-E

2.989
4.447
3.161
2.575
3.269

2.178
2.178
2.178
2.178
2.178

1.372
2.042
1.451
1.182
1.501

2.178
2.178
2.178
2.178
2.178

1.372
2.042
1.451
1.182
1.501

RC-2-C

4.064

2.178

1.866

2.178

1.866

RC-3-C-A
RC-3-C-B
RC-3-C-C
RC-3-C-D
RC-3-C-E

3.103
4.131
3.267
4.578
2.272

2.178
2.178
2.178
2.178
2.178

1.425
1.896
1.500
2.102
1.043

2.178
2.178
2.178
2.178
2.178

1.425
1.896
1.500
2.102
1.043

RC-4-C

3.603

2.178

1.654

2.178

1.654

RC-5-C-A
RC-5-C-B
RC-5-C-C
RC-5-C-D
RC-5-C-E

4.400
5.908
4.792
4.044
2.836

2.178
2.178
2.178
2.178
2.178

2.020
2.713
2.200
1.857
1.302

2.178
2.178
2.178
2.178
2.178

2.020
2.713
2.200
1.857
1.302

RC-6-C

5.317

2.178

2.441

2.178

2.441

RC-7-C

5.742

2.178

2.636

2.178

2.636

6
6.2. Evaluation for cold-joint specimens

qv f y < 4:14
qv f y

Table 7
The shear strength su from the test and codes (uncracked specimens).

qv f y  4:14

Various equations have been proposed to predict the shear

transfer strength in conventional concrete. Fig. 17a applies several
such equations to the results of this study. The test data are mostly
scattered above the curve calculated by Eqs. (3)(5). Those equations can be used to calculate the shear transfer strength of
uncracked RAC specimens. The predicted su from Eqs. (6) and (7)
for the uncracked push-off specimens are compared with the test
values in Table 7. From Fig. 17b, it can be seen that ACI and PCI
code equations are conservative for shear transfer strength of
uncracked RAC specimens with concrete strength from 23.43 to
33.03 MPa.

The ACI and PCI code equations, when l = 0.6, can be used to
calculate the shear stress for a cold-joint at a smooth concrete
interface, calculated results are listed in Table 8. Fig. 17c shows
the ACI and PCI code provisions with the test data, and it is seen
that the code equations are conservative for prediction of the shear
transfer strength of cold-joint RAC specimens.

7. Conclusion
The tests results and analysis of 38 uncracked and cold-joint
push-off specimens, along with results for pre-cracked specimens
previously published by the authors, support the following
conclusions:

J. Xiao et al. / Construction and Building Materials 105 (2016) 343355

1. The joint interface condition has a great effect on the shear

transfer mechanism and the shear transfer behavior of RAC.
The ultimate shear transfer strength of uncracked specimens
is slightly greater than that of pre-cracked specimens, but much
greater than that of cold-joint specimens.
2. The RCA replacement ratio has a significance influence on the
aggregate interlock action of RAC. With the increasing of the
RCA replacement ratio, the value of aggregate interlock action
decreases.
3. Overall, for uncracked specimens, the failure mode of RAC and
that of conventional concrete are similar to each other. The
shape of the shear stress crack width curves of RAC is consistent with those of conventional concrete, and the same trends
are seen in the shear stress-shear slip curve. A similar observation applies to the cold-joint specimens.
4. The strength of the RAC has no obvious effect on the ultimate
shear strength of uncracked specimens with concrete cylinder
compressive strength ranging from 23.43 to 33.03 MPa. With
the increase of the RCA replacement ratio, the ultimate shear
stress of uncracked specimens decreases.
5. Some empirical equations can be used to calculate the shear
transfer strength of RAC. ACI and PCI code equations are conservative for the prediction of the shear transfer performance of
uncracked and cold-joint RAC specimens with concrete cylinder
compressive strength from 23.43 to 33.03 MPa.

Acknowledgements
The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support from the
National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (Project No:
51325802). The authors also acknowledge the China Scholarship
Council (CSC) for support of Chang Suns visit to the University of
Illinois.
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