Structural performance of reinforced concrete dapped-end beams: a preliminary experimental and numerical investigation

RC dapped-end beams are typical joints used for bridge construction, which imply a step discontinuity of the cross-section. Their failure may significantly compromise the structural robustness of the bridge, if not properly designed, built or maintained. Their durability is often threated by large cracks that may arise if, during its service life, the bridge is subjected to a load close or even larger than the design ultimate limit state (ULS) combination. In the framework of a wide national project aimed at investi-gating possible solutions to prevent this joint from becoming the source of brittle failures, this paper presents an estimation of the load bearing capacity of a RC half-joint by means of a strut-and-tie design approach. In parallel, a preliminary finite element model is developed to investigate the mechanical behaviour of the joint, and results are validated with respect to reference experimental tests.