1916.3 Precast Concrete General

Precast concrete structural elements shall be reinforced to meet all of the requirements of this section. However, reinforcement provided for gravity, seismic and wind forces and for other purposes may be regarded as forming part of, or the whole of, these requirements. Reinforcing provided for one requirement may be counted towards the other requirements.

The structural integrity requirements of ACI 318, Section 16.5, shall apply. In precast and composite structures, ties within precast structural elements shall be continuous and shall be anchored to the supporting structure. In addition to Sections 1916.2.2 and 1916.2.4, the following requirements shall be met.

End connections of all precast slabs, beams and girders shall have an axial tension capacity equal to the larger of the vertical shear capacity of the connection at either end, or at least 2 percent of the maximum factored vertical dead and live load in the precast compression element, whichever is larger, but not less than 20 kips or 2,500 pounds per linear foot of slab (36.48 kN/m). Where more than one element frames in one direction, none of the elements or connections shall have an axial tension capacity of less than 1 percent of the column load but not less than 20 kips.

Side connections of all precast elements shall have an axial tension capacity not less than the steel required for temperature reinforcement of the larger element at either side.

For design of the connections, the transverse shear force and the axial tensile force need not be considered to act simultaneously.

Joints in precast structures shall not rely on friction due to gravity to transfer load.

The net bearing area shall not be less than 2 inches (51 mm) wide and 3 inches (76 mm) long in the direction of the member.