BARGRIP

SYSTEM
TEST
REPORT

4900 Webster Street, Dayton, Ohio 45414

Telephone (937) 275-8700  Fax (937) 275-9566
BPI® AND BARGRIP® COUPLERS AND EQUIPMENT
BG-TEST-REPORT (REV.3 SEPT 2012)
 BARGRIP SYSTEM TEST REPORT

The following test report pertains to the Standard BarGrip

System and has been reproduced in its entirety from testing
conducted by the independent firm of Wiss, Janney, Elstner
and Associates, Inc. The test results herein meet the code
requirements of ACI 318, ACI 349 and ASME Section III,
Division 2 (Code for Concrete Reactor Vessels and
Containments) based upon the use of ASTM A615, Grade 60
rebar.

For Type 2 / Nuclear applications or for connecting ASTM A775

epoxy coated reinforcing steel, the BarGrip ‘XL’ System, a
longer length coupler system, is generally recommended.

Contact Barsplice Products, Inc. for specific application

recommendations.

Barsplice Products, Inc.

4900 Webster Street
Dayton, OH 45414
www.barsplice.com

Phone: (937) 275-8700

Fax: (937) 275-9566
email: bar@barsplice.com

Copyright © 2012, Barsplice Products, Inc., "BPI". All rights reserved.

While the information contained in this document is believed to be accurate at the time of publication, BPI reserves the right to
make corrections and other revisions as it sees fit, without notice. All products described herein are supplied solely in accordance
with BPI’s standard Terms and Conditions of Sale. This document is of a promotional nature only. Aspects of structural design,
evaluation of product fitness for use, suitability or similar attributes are the responsibility of others.
 REPORT ON

BARGRIP PLAIN COUPLER

TESTING

for

BARSPLICE PRODUCTS, INC.

WJE Nos. 78649Q and 81530Q

 REPORT ON

BARGRIP PLAIN COUPLER

TESTING

for

BARSPLICE PRODUCTS, INC.

WJE Nos. 78649Q and 81530Q

INTRODUCTION

A series of performance tests of tensile reinforcing bar splices

has been conducted for Barsplice Products, Inc., by Wiss, Janney, Elstner

and Associates, Inc. (WJE) to evaluate them for conformance with

ASME Section III, Division 2, ACI 318-77, ACI 349-76, and typical splice

requirements of the United States Corps of Engineers.

Tests have been performed on Bargrip Sleeve, which is a mechanical

method of splicing two reinforcing bars using a pressing operation. A

steel sleeve which has an inner diameter larger than the reinforcing bar

diameter is used. One reinforcing bar is inserted half-way into the

sleeve. Using a two-piece die set, the sleeve is hydraulically pressed

onto the bar with a series of overlapping pressings. The second rein-

forcing bar is then inserted into the sleeve. Using the die set, the

sleeve is hydraulically pressed onto the second bar with overlapping

pressings, thereby splicing the two bars.

The testing has been conducted under the Quality Assurance Program

developed by WJE for this project as described in operating procedure

OP-19.

- 1 -
 DESCRIPTION OF TESTS AND SPECIMENS

The performance testing consisted of nine static tests and three

cyclic tests on each splice size. The static testing, which consists

of a tensile test on a spliced specimen or unspliced control bar, has

been conducted in accordance with ASTM A 370 and the applicable portions

of ASTM E8. A load-strain plot, ultimate load, and permanent elongation

at failure have been obtained.

Cyclic testing consists of applying 100 cycles of load, varying

from 5 percent of specified reinforcing bar yield, to 90 percent of speci-

fied reinforcing bar yield. Following the 100 cycles, each specimen was

loaded to failure.

ASTM A 615 Grade 60 reinforcing bars have been used in the testing

program. These bars have a minimum specified yield strength of 60 ksi and

a minimum specified tensile strength of 90 ksi. The reinforcing bars

were supplied by four steel mills:

Armco Steel Corp. (Marion Works)

Bethlehem Steel Corp. (Steelton Plant)

Border Steel Mills, Inc.

Florida Steel Corp.

The bars were spliced by Dayton Barsplice, Inc. at their plant in Dayton,

Ohio. The spliced bars, along with the unspliced control bars, were

shipped to the WJE laboratory for testing.

The testing which is described in this report includes the following

splice sizes:

Bar Size Bar Deformation

No. Manufacturer Pattern _
18 Armco Crescent
Bethlehem Diagonal
Florida Cross-Hatched
- 2 -
 Bar Size Bar Deformation
No. Manufacturer Pattern _

5 through 14 Armco Crescent

Bethlehem Diagonal
Border Horizontal

One control bar for each of the above deformations and bar sizes was

subjected to a static test.

Test Requirements

The performance testing has been conducted to determine if the splices

meet the mechanical connection requirements of American Society of Mechanical

Engineers’ “Code for Concrete Reactor Vessels and Containments” (ASME Sec-

tion III, Division 2), American Concrete Institute’s “Building Code Require-

ments for Reinforced Concrete” (ACI 318-77), ACI’s Criteria for Reinforced

Concrete Nuclear Power Containment Structures (ACI 349-76), and typical

splice requirements of the United States Corps of Engineers.

The requirements of these specifications are summarized below:

ASME Section III, Division 2

“CC-4333.2.3 Type and Number of Performance Tests

“(a) Static Tensile Tests

“Six splice specimens for each reinforcing bar size, and splice type

to be used in construction shall be tensile tested to failure using the

loading rate set forth in SA-370. For swaged splices, three different

deformation patterns shall be used for each bar size tested . . .

“A tensile test on an unspliced specimen from the same bar used for

the splice specimens shall be performed to establish actual tensile strength.

“The average tensile strength of the splice shall not be less than

90 percent of the actual tensile strength of the reinforcing bar

- 3 -
being tested, nor less than 100 percent of the specified minimum tensile

strength. The tensile strength of an individual splice system shall not

be less than 125 percent of the specified minimum yield strength of the

spliced bar. Each individual test report on both the spliced and unspliced

specimens shall include at least the following information:

(1) tensile strength;

(2) total elongation;

(3) load-extension curve to a minimum of 2 percent strain.

“The gage length of each pair of spliced and unspliced specimens

shall be the same, and equal to the length of the splice sleeve, plus not

less than one bar diameter nor more than three bar diameters at each end...

“(b) Cyclic Tensile Tests

“Three specimens of the bar-to-bar splice for each reinforcing bar

size (and grade for taper threaded splices and threaded splices in thread

deformed reinforcing bar) and splice type to be used in construction shall

be subjected to a low cycle tensile test. Each specimen shall withstand

100 cycles of stress variation from 5 percent to 90 percent of the speci-

fied minimum yield strength of the reinforcing bar. One cycle is defined

as an increase from the lower load to the higher load and return.”

ACI 318-77 -

“12.15.3.4 - A full mechanical connection shall develop in tension

or compression, as required, at least 125 percent of specified yield

strength fy of the bar.”

ACI 349-76 -

“7.5.5 - Welded splices or other positive connections may be used.

Positive connections shall be staggered if the strain measured over the

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full length of connector (at 0.9 yield) exceeds that of an unspliced

bar by more than 50 percent and if the maximum computed design load

stress in the bar equals or exceeds 0.5fy. If staggered splices are

required, no more than one-half of the bars shall be spliced in one plane

normal to the bars and splices shall be staggered at least 36 in.”

“7.5.5.2 - Full positive connections shall develop in tension or

compression, as required, at least 125 percent of the specified yield

strength of the bar.”

United States Corps of Engineers - Typical requirements have been taken

from a particular job specification as follows:

“8-18.7.2 Butt Splices - Butt splices shall be used only for #14

and #18 bars, except where otherwise shown on the drawings and where #11

bars are butt-spliced to the larger sizes or when authorized by the Con-

tracting Officer. Splices shall be made by the thermit process with

full penetration butt welds or by an approved mechanical butt splicing

method utilizing filler metal and an enclosing steel sleeve as hereinafter

specified. Thermit welding shall be restricted to ASTM A 615 (billet steel),

and the steel shall have a sulphur content not exceeding 0.05 percent based

upon ladle analysis. Except as provided herein, all welding shall conform

to AWS Standard D12.l. All butt splices shall develop 90 percent of the

specified minimum ultimate tensile strength of the bars or of the smaller

bar in the case of transition splices. Bars shall be cleaned of all oil,

grease, dirt, rust, scale and other foreign substances and shall be flame

dried before splicing. Adequate jigs and clamps or other devices shall

be provided to support, align and hold the longitudinal centerline of the

bars to be butt spliced in a straight line.”

- 5 -
 “8-18.7.2.1.2 Qualification Tests. - As a condition of approval,

the Contractor shall make three test butt splices in the presence of the

Contracting Officer of each of the bar sizes to be spliced using the

proposed method of splicing. An unspliced bar for each bar size to be

butt spliced and the test butt splices shall be tension tested to des-

truction by an approved laboratory. Stress-strain curves shall be furnished

for each unspliced and spliced bar tested. Tension tests shall be per-

formed on full cross section specimens in accordance with ASTM E8, using a

gage length that spans the extremities of the weld or sleeve. Certified

reports of the tests shall be submitted at the time of requesting approval

of the splicing procedure.”

“8-18.7.2.4 ... In addition to the strength requirements, the

additional deformation of #14 and smaller bars due to slip or other move-

ment within the splice sleeve shall not exceed 0.015 inches (unit strain

0.0015 inches/inch) beyond the elongation of an unspliced bar based upon a

10-inch gage length spanning the extremities of the sleeve at a stress of

30,000 psi. The additional deformation of #18 bars shall not exceed 0.03

inches (unit strain 0.003 inches/inch) beyond the elongation of an

unspliced bar based upon a 10-inch gage length spanning the extremities

of the sleeve at a stress of 30,000 psi. The amount of the additional

deformation shall be determined from the stress-strain curves of the

unspliced and spliced bars tested for the Qualification and Tension Tests...”

- 6 -
 TEST PROCEDURE

The tensile performance tests were conducted in accordance with the

recommendations of ASTM A 370-77, ASTM E8-77a, and ASME Section III,

Division 2, Paragraph CC-4333.2.3 (previously Case N-185). No. 18

specimens were tested on a Tinius Olsen 1,200,000 lbs. hydraulic univer-

sal testing machine using stress rate control. No. 14 and smaller bars

were tested on a Riehle 500,000 lbs. hydraulic universal testing machine

using stress rate control.

Static Testing

Prior to loading the specimens, punch marks were placed on the speci-

mens. Four punch marks were placed on the spliced specimens. Two marks

on opposite sides of the bar were placed at either end of the coupler.

The distance between these marks was measured using dividers and a machinist’s

scale. The unspliced bar was marked with a series of punch marks on oppo-

site sides along the length of the bar. This established a series of

overlapping gage lengths with the middle third of each gage length clearly

defined.

The specimen was inserted between the grips of the testing machine,

and an extensometer was attached to the specimen. The extensometer consists

of two DC-LVDT’s mounted in a spring-loaded extendable frame.

This extensometer can be installed and removed while a specimen is in

the grips of the machine. The knife edges which grip the specimen are

clamped on by a spring force so that reduction of specimen area during

testing will not cause slippage. The springs react against pins inserted

in various holes in the alignment guides, depending on specimen diameter.

The DC-LVDT’s are installed on opposite sides of the specimen to average

- 7 -
out the effects of curvature.

A variable extensometer gage length was used depending on the

splice size as follows:

Splice Size Extensometer Gage Length (in.)

No. 18 24

No. 14 18

No. 11, 10, 9, 8 10

No.7,6 8

No.5 6

For each gage length the extensometer was calibrated in accordance with

WJE Procedures Manual OP-19. The universal test machines produce an

electrical signal indicating the applied load.

While loading the specimens, an autographic load/strain curve was

obtained by driving an X-Y plotter with the electrical output of the

extensometer and test machine signals. Discrete data points were obtained

by monitoring the extensometer and reading the load of the testing machine.

At 2% strain the extensometer was removed, and the bar was loaded to

failure. The load/strain curves and the discrete data points are given

in the test results section of this report.

The ultimate load of the specimens was observed with the trailing

needle of the test machine dial. The total elongation at failure was

measured using a machinists scale for the spliced specimens across the

coupler. The total elongation at failure for the unspliced specimens

was determined using the same gage length as the spliced specimen with

the failure surface included in the middle third of the gage length. Elonga-

tion measurement was made on both sides of the specimen, and the results

were averaged to exclude the effects of curvature.

- 8 -
Cyclic Testing

The cyclic tests were conducted by applying alternating loads to a

spliced specimen from one of each deformation pattern. The tensile load

was varied from 5 percent of specified yield (60 ksi) to 90 percent of

the specified yield. One hundred cycles of this load were applied. Both

during the cycling and after, the specimens were observed for slippage

or other distress in the coupler. After completion of the cycling, the

specimens were loaded to failure. The maximum load obtained in the cycled

specimens is presented in the test results section of this report.

TEST RESULTS

Static Test

Results of the static tensile tests are presented in Tables 1 through

9. Each specimen is code numbered to provide information about the splice

type, bar size and bar manufacturer. The first one or two numerals repre-

sent the size of the bar being spliced or the size of the bar in the case

of the unspliced specimens. Letters following the leading numerals repre-

sent the splice type or control specimen. BS represents Bargrip Sleeve;

U represents unspliced. The middle numeral is one of the arbitrary

sequential numbers given to the test specimens.

The next pair of letters indicates the type of test and bar manufac-

turer. The first S or C, indicates static or cyclic testing, respectively.

The second represents the steel mill which manufactured the reinforcing

bar used in the specimen. The letters are translated as follows:

A - Armco Steel Corp.

B - Bethlehem Steel Corp.
C - Border Steel Mills, Inc.
D - Florida Steel Corp.
- 9 -
 The maximum load listed in the tables is the highest load which

the specimen withstood prior to failure. The mode of failure for the

spliced specimens is described as coupler break, pull out, or bar break.

The failures described as “Coupler Break” exhibited a necking of

the steel sleeve and then a break in the sleeve at its center. “Pull-Out”

occurred when one of the two reinforcing bars was drawn out of the sleeve.

Failures described as “Bar Break” indicate that the specimen failed by

fracturing of the reinforcing bar outside of the coupler.

Cyclic Test

Each of the spliced specimens listed in Table 10 was given 100 cycles

of tensile load varying from 5 percent of yield to 90 percent of yield.

None of the specimens exhibited distress as a result of the cyclic loading.

The maximum load developed by the splices is shown in Table 10.

DISCUSSION

The test results are discussed in four separate sections. Each one of

these sections corresponds to the splice requirements of ASME Section III,

Division 2, ACI 318-77, ACI 349-76, and typical requirements of the United

States Corps of Engineers.

- 10 -
ASME Section III, Division 2

The swaged splice requirements of ASNE Section III, Division 2,

are that:

1. The tensile strength of each individual splice specimen

shall be not less than 125 percent of the specified mini-

mum yield strength of the bar.

125 percent of 60,000 psi times the nominal reinforcing

bar area is given in the table below:

Bar Size As(in2) 1.25 x fy x As(kip)

#18 4.00 300

#14 2.25 169

#11 1.56 117

#10 1.27 95

#9 1.00 75

#8 .79 59

#7 .60 45

#6 .44 33

#5 .31 23

Each of the splices tested had a tensile strength in excess of

the strength listed in the table above.

2. 90 percent of the average tensile strength of the control

bars tested, and 100 percent of the specified minimum tensile

strength are listed in the table below:

- 11 -
 Average Tensile 90% of Average Specified Minimum
Coupler Strength of Spliced Tensile Strength of Tensile Strength of
Size Specimens (kip) Control Bars (kip) Control Bars (kip)_

No. 18 413.0 383.3 360.0

No. 14 232.8 214.9 202.5

No. 11 157.2 144.3 140.0

No. 10 132.5 120.2 114.0

No. 9 106.0 101.0 90.0

No. 8 83.7 74.7 71.0

No. 7 63.0 57.2 54.0

No. 6 48.0 43.0 39.6

No. 5 34.0 29.9 27.9

As shown in the Table above, the average tensile strength of

the splices tested exceeds both the specified tensile

strength and 90 percent of the average actual tensile strength

of the control bars.

- 12 -
ACI 318-77

The mechanical splice requirement of ACI 318-77 for tensile

splices is that the splice develop at least 125 percent of specified

yield strength of the bar. 125 percent times 60,000 psi times the

nominal reinforcing bar area is given in the table below:

Bar Size As(in2) 125 x fy x As(kip)

No. 18 4.00 300

No. 14 2.25 169

No. 11 1.56 117

No. 10 1.27 95

No. 9 1.00 75

No. 8 .79 59

No. 7 .60 45

No. 6 .44 33

No. 5 .31 23

Each of the splices tested had an ultimate strength in excess of the

strengths listed above.

- 13 -
ACI 349-76

The mechanical splice requirements of ACI 349-76 for tensile

splices is that the splice develop at least 125 percent of the specified

yield strength of the bar. If the strain measured over the full length

of the connector at 90 percent of yield exceeds the strain of an unspliced

bar by more than 50 percent, then the splices are required to be staggered

for bars which are loaded to a design stress in excess of 50 percent of

yield.

125 percent times 60,000 psi times the nominal reinforcing bar

area is given in the table below:

Bar Size As(in2) 1.25 x fy x As(kip)

No. 18 4.00 300
No. 14 2.25 169

No. 11 1.56 117

No. 10 1.27 95
No. 9 1.00 75

No. 8 .79 59

No. 7 .60 45

No. 6 .44 33

No. 5 .31 23

Strength Criteria - Each of the splices tested had an ultimate

strength in excess of the strengths listed above.

Strain Criteria - The strain in one of the Bar-Grip sleeves splicing

the #7 bar with a horizontal deformation pattern exceeds the reinforcing

bar strain by more than 50 percent; therefore, staggering of the splices

will be required in applications governed by ACI 349 where a bar with

this deformation pattern has a design stress greater than .5 x fy. The
- 14 -
strain in the remainder of Bargrip sleeves splicing the No. 7 bars

is less than 1.5 times the strain in its corresponding unspliced control

bar.

The strain in all of the other Bargrip sleeves was less than 1.5

times the strain in the unspliced bars. Therefore, staggering of the

Bargrip sleeves is not required by ACI 349-76.

- 15 -
United States Corps of Engineers

The United States Corps of Engineers typical requirements for

mechanical splices are that:

1. Each splice develop 90 percent of the specified minimum

ultimate tensile strength of the bars.

3. That the strain measured in the splice not exceed the

strain in an unspliced control bar by more than .003

for No. 18 bars and by .0015 for No. 14 and smaller bars.

90 percent of 90 ksi times the normal reinforcing bar area is given in

the table below:

Bar Size As x (in2) .90 x fy x As(kip)

No. 18 4.00 324

No. 14 2.25 182

No. 11 1.56 126

No. 10 1.27 103

No. 9 1.00 81

No. 8 .79 64

No. 7 .60 49

No. 6 .44 36

No. 5 .31 25

Strength criteria - Each of the splices tested had an ultimate

strength in excess of the strength listed in the table above.

Strain Criteria - The strain in each of the No. 18 bar splices tested

did not exceed the strain in its corresponding control bar by .003. The

strain in each of the No. 14 and smaller splices did not exceed

the the strain in its corresponding control bar by .0015.

- 16 -
 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Eight-one (81) Bargrip sleeves reported herein were tested

to determine conformance with the requirements of ASME Section III,

W
i
s Division 2, ACI 318-77, ACI 349-76, and typical requirement of the
s,
J United States Corps of Engineers.
a
n
n The splices met these requirements. The No. 7 Bargrip sleeve
e
y,
with a horizontal deformation pattern may require staggering of the
E
l
s splice for Nuclear Power containment structures governed by ACI 349-76.
t
n
e
r
Respectfully submitted,
a
n
d WISS, JANNEY, ELSTNER AND ASSOCIATES, INC.
A
s
s
o
c Jack P. Stecich
i
a Project Manager
t
e
s, JPS:tm
I
n
c.
 TABLE NO. 10

CYCLIC TEST RESULTS

Deformation Ultimate Mode of

Specimen Pattern Load (kips) Failure

18BS-23-CD-A Cross-Hatch 356.0 Pull Out

18BS-26-CA-A Crescent 429.0 Bar Break
18BS-29-CB-A Diagonal 423.0 Pull Out

14BS-6-CA Crescent 247.0 Coupler Break

14BS-8-CC Horizontal 233.8 Bar Break
14BS-9-CB Diagonal 225.8 Bar Break

11BS-3-CB Diagonal 160.0 Coupler Break

11BS-4-CC Horizontal 158.0 Bar Break
11BS-9-CA Cross Hatched 150.3 Bar Break

10BS-3-CB Diagonal 130.3 Bar Break

10BS-6-CC Horizontal 131.3 Bar Break
10BS-9-CA Cross Hatched 137.3 Bar Break

9BS-3-CB Diagonal 101.5 Bar Break

9BS-6-CC Horizontal 112.8 Coupler Break
9BS-9-CA Cross Hatched 104.5 Bar Break

8BS-3-CB Diagonal 85.0 Bar Break

8BS-6-CC Horizontal 83.7 Bar Break
8BS-9-CA Cross Hatched 84.2 Bar Break

7BS-6-CB Horizontal 62.2 Bar Break

7BS-9-CA Cross Hatched 57.8 Pull Out

6BS-3-CB Diagonal 48.1 Bar Break

6BS-6-CC Horizontal 45.8 Bar Break
6BS-9-CA Cross Hatched 48.7 Bar Break

5BS-3-CB Diagonal 34.1 Bar Break

5BS-6-CC Horizontal 28.1 Bar Break
5BS-9-CA Cross Hatched 33.8 Bar Break
 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Eight-one (81) Bargrip sleeves reported herein were tested

to determine conformance with the requirements of ASME Section III,

Division 2, ACI 318-77, ACI 349-76, and typical requirement of the

United States Corps of Engineers.

The splices met these requirements. The No. 7 Bargrip sleeve

with a horizontal deformation pattern may require staggering of the

splice for Nuclear Power containment structures governed by ACI 349-76.

Respectfully submitted,

WISS, JANNEY, ELSTNER AND ASSOCIATES, INC.

Jack P. Stecich
Project Manager

JPS:tm