Detailing of concrete-to-concrete interfaces for improved ductility

Results show that both epoxy and latex based adhesion promoters, currently used in construction, hardly improve the tensile strength of casting interfaces, to a point that the interface presence has negligible impact on the cracking pattern. A much better result was observed from the use of a web reinforcement crossing the interface perpendicularly. Although this solution revealed itself also incapable to avoid preferential cracking along the interfaces, it proved to be efficient in limiting shear slippages. The adoption of inclined interfaces either perpendicular or parallel to the expected direction of shear cracks proved also to be an efficient solution. Finally, the likelihood of experiencing a shear slippage along the interface is strongly dependent on the existing shear level after the formation of a plastic hinge.