Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

Experimental Study and Statistical Study on the Strength of Concrete with Cold Joints

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Ehsan Karimi
Department of Civil Engineering, Bandar Gaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bandar Gaz, Iran
10.30478/jcsm.2025.537118.1394
Abstract
This study investigates the effects of cold joints on the compressive and shear strength of concrete through experimental and statistical analyses. A total of 212 concrete specimens were prepared, including cubic specimens (in four configurations: without joint, with horizontal, vertical, and diagonal joints) and S-shaped specimens (with and without joints). For specimens with joints, a 24-hour interval was considered between consecutive pours, and no surface preparation was applied at the joint interface. Compressive strength tests revealed that the presence of cold joints reduced strength and increased the coefficient of variation, with the diagonal joint showing the most severe reduction (~58%). In the shear (push-off) tests, cold joints resulted in a 68% strength loss. Statistical evaluations—including mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, probability density functions, and failure probabilities—indicated that increasing joint angle significantly elevates uncertainty and reduces structural reliability. Overall, the results emphasize that cold joints, especially those lacking proper surface treatment, can substantially compromise the strength and safety of concrete structures.
Keywords
Cold joint
Statistical analysis
Experimental
Uncertainty
Push-Off Test

Subjects

[1]        Hobbs, D., Concrete deterioration: causes, diagnosis, and minimising risk. International Materials Reviews, 46(3), p. 117-144, 2001.
[2]        Gardner, D., et al., A survey on problems encountered in current concrete construction and the potential benefits of self-healing cementitious materials. Case studies in construction materials, 8, p. 238-247, 2018.
[3]        Juliafad, E., et al., Concreting workmanship in Indonesia study case: Padang City, West Sumatra, Indonesia. International Journal on Advanced Science, Engineering and Information Technology, 9(1), p. 300-306, 2019.
[4]        Taheri, S., A review on five key sensors for monitoring of concrete structures. Construction and Building Materials, 204, p. 492-509, 2019.
[5]        Bekem Kara, İ., Experimental investigation of the effect of cold joint on strength and durability of concrete. Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 46(11), p. 10397-10408, 2021.
[6]        Júlio, E., F. Branco, and V. Silva, Concrete-to-concrete bond strength: influence of an epoxy-based bonding agent on a roughened substrate surface. Magazine of concrete research, 57(8), p. 463-468, 2005.
[7]        Julio, E.N., F.A. Branco, and V.t.D. Silva, Concrete-to-concrete bond strength. Influence of the roughness of the substrate surface. Construction and building materials, 18(9), p. 675-681, 2004.
[8]        Júlio, E., et al., Accuracy of design code expressions for estimating longitudinal shear strength of strengthening concrete overlays. Engineering Structures, 32(8), p. 2387-2393, 2010.
[9]        Tapkire, G. and S. Parihar, Time laps and different joint affects quality of regular concrete. International Journal of Latest Trends in Engineering and Technology, 3(3), 2014.
[10]      Rathi, V. and P. Kolase, Effect of cold joint on strength of concrete. International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, 2(9), p. 4671-4679, 2013.
[11]      Gerges, N.N., C.A. Issa, and S. Fawaz, Effect of construction joints on the splitting tensile strength of concrete. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 3, p. 83-91, 2015.
[12]      Lee, H.-S., H.-O. Jang, and K.-H. Cho, Evaluation of bonding shear performance of ultra-high-performance concrete with increase in delay in formation of cold joints. Materials, 9(5), p. 362, 2016.
[13]      Ohdaira, E. and N. Masuzawa. Presuming the strength of concrete cold joint by ultrasound. in 2001 IEEE Ultrasonics Symposium. Proceedings. An International Symposium (Cat. No. 01CH37263). 2001. IEEE.
[14]      Li, G., H. Xie, and G. Xiong, Transition zone studies of new-to-old concrete with different binders. Cement and Concrete Composites, 23(4-5), p. 381-387, 2001.
[15]      Yoo, S.-W. and S.-J. Kwon, Effects of cold joint and loading conditions on chloride diffusion in concrete containing GGBFS. Construction and Building Materials, 115, p. 247-255, 2016.
[16]      Choi, S.-J., et al., Analysis technique on water permeability in concrete with cold joint considering micro pore structure and mineral admixture. Advances in Materials Science and Engineering, 2015(1), p. 610428, 2015.
[17]         جعفری، محمدحسین و همکاران، تأثیر وضعیت درز سرد بر مقاومت بتن. تحقیقات بتن، 10(4)، 69-61، 2018.
[18]         کریمی، احسان و کلات جاری، وحیدرضا، ارائه ی مدل عددی پیشنهادی برای شبیه‌سازی مود بازشدگی مکانیک شکست اتصال سرد بتنی. مجله‌ی مهندسی عمران شریف، 36، 2(2،1)، 70-61، 2020.
[19]         کریمی، احسان و کلات جاری، وحیدرضا، شبیه‌سازی مود برشی مکانیک شکست در اتصال سرد بتنی. مصالح و سازه های بتنی, 6(1)، 19-5، 2021.
[20]         صرافی، علی و همکاران، کاهش آثار منفی درز‌های ساخت در سازه‌های بتن غلتکی حجیم با استفاده از زئولیت. مجله ی مهندسی عمران شریف، 39(2)، 91-81، 2023.
[21]         آتشی، امیر و همکاران، بررسی استفاده از راهکارهای بهبود دهنده رفتار لرزه‌ای قاب های بتنی دارای درز سرد. مهندسی سازه و ساخت، 12(03)، 2025.
[22]      Ou, X., et al., Effect of water-cement ratio on the bond strength of cold joint foam concrete and crack evolution characteristics. Journal of Building Engineering, 95, p. 110267, 2024.
[23]      Ali, Q.Q., B. Erdil, and T.M. Jassam, Critical cold joint angle in concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 409, p. 133881, 2023.
[24]      Over, D., et al., An experimental and numerical study on the effects of cold joint location and angle in concrete. Journal of Building Engineering, 99, p. 111529, 2025.
[25]      Institute, A.C., ACI 318-19: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary, American Concrete Institute, 2019.
[26]      Standardization, E.C.f., EN 1992-1-1:2004: Eurocode 2: Design of Concrete Structures - Part 1-1: General Rules and Rules for Buildings, European Committee for Standardization, 2004.
[27]      Institution, B.S., BS 8110-1:1997: Structural Use of Concrete - Part 1: Code of Practice for Design and Construction, British Standards Institution, 1997.
[28]      Association, C.S., CSA A23.1-19: Concrete Materials and Methods of Concrete Construction, Canadian Standards Association, 2019.
[29]      Institute, A.C., ACI 503R-93 (Reapproved 2016): Guide for the Selection of Polymer Adhesives with Concrete, American Concrete Institute, 2016.
[30]      Institution, B.S., BS 6319-2:1983: Testing of Resin Compositions for Use in Construction - Part 2: Methods for Measurement of Mechanical Properties, British Standards Institution, 1983.

  • Receive Date 30 July 2025
  • Revise Date 12 September 2025
  • Accept Date 25 October 2025