A strut-and-tie model for ultimate loads of precast concrete joints with loop connections in tension

The authors propose a strut-and-tie model to calculate the ultimate tensile loads of precast concrete joints with two to one loop connections subjected to static uniaxial tensile loading. The width of the struts was derived iteratively by correlation with available test results that take into account the effects of the loop connection geometry and transverse cottering bars. The results showed that the predictions using the proposed model correlated well with the experimental data.