Investigation of the effect of cold joint applications on mechanical properties of reinforced concrete beams

In concrete pouring process, pouring can be done in stages depending on some reasons such as the difficulty of pouring large areas at once, the inadequacy of the existing concrete mold and the problems experienced in the supply of concrete. Depending on the reasons stated, the joints formed as a result of pouring the concrete in stages are called cold joints. Cold joint areas are thought to be the weak point of the structures. In this research, the effect of cold joint formation on the mechanical properties of reinforced concrete beams was investigated. For this purpose, 11 beams with a length of 200 cm, a height of 35 cm, and a width of 20 cm, suitable for real dimensions and loads, were constructed. In these beams, cold joints are left in the middle of the beam span and 1/4 of the beam span as horizontally. The remaining concrete pouring of the beams were carried out after 1 day and 7 days. The constructed beams were subjected to bending test and obtained values of bearing capacity were compared. As a result, there was no negative effect of cold joints on the reinforced concrete beam element.