The fatigue performance of reinforced concrete beams

A programme of fatigue tests on reinforced concrete beams has been carried out. The results from tests on beams reinforced with continuous bars of various diameters have been used, together with data from an earlier similar programme of work, to build up a picture of the effect of bar diameter upon apparent fatigue performance. Comparisons have been drawn with the size effect evidenced in axial tension fatigue tests. Tests have been performed on four types of mechanical splice at two nominal diameters and the results discussed in relation to fatigue design curves. Tests have also been performed using one size of bar in beams containing two types of lap joint for two types of reinforcing bar.