Epoxy-coated reinforcement under repeated loading

Because epoxy-coatings applied to reinforcement are known to reduce the bond strength of the reinforcement, 23 beams with splices placed in a constant moment region were subjected in repeated loading and then tested to failure to compare the service and ultimate load behavior of beams with coated and uncoated reinforcement. The repeated loading consisted of one million or five million cycles in the service load range. Splitting cracks formed at a lower load in beams with epoxy-coated reinforcement than in beams with uncoated reinforcement. In general, deflections, crack widths, and reinforcement stresses were larger in beams with epoxy-coated reinforcement during service loading.