Flexure performance of precast segmental reinforced concrete beams assembled using near surface mounted steel bars

Segmented reinforced concrete (RC) beams composed of precast concrete and built on site became a necessary because it is important to quickly create RC bridges, walls, roofs, stairs and culverts. Utilizing the flat joint type, near surface mounted (NSM) technology is created and implemented in pre-cast segmented RC beams for limiting the connections between portions. The primary goal of this study is enhancing segmented beams' (SBs) flexural performance. A four-point bending test was performed on each SB, with a constant bending applied to the joint location. The SBs had the same internal reinforcement and are composed of two comparable components. The variables under examination included the length, quantity, and distribution of NSM rods, along with the utilization of end anchorages. Compared to non-segmented beam, the first cracking load out and in the interface of SBs was 20-44% and 56-156% greater, respectively. Increasing the length of NSM rods from 10 to 20 times their diameter resulted in improvements in SBs' ultimate load, ultimate deflection, stiffness, and toughness of 55%, 95%, 62%, and 56%, respectively. As a result of the NSM rods' end anchoring, the SB's ultimate load and toughness increased by 22 and 40 %, respectively, in comparison to SB without any anchoring at NSM rod end. The SB's maximum load and stiffness were enhanced by 25% and 31%, respectively, as a result of the tension side's anchor being used at the interface.