The College of Engineering, Diyala University discussed a master dissertation on the structural performance of mechanically joined reinforcing bar connections using different fastening methods by the postgraduate student, Ms. Fatima Mohammed Hussein.

The dissertation aimed at analyzing the structural performance of reinforcing bars connected using mechanical joints with different fastening methods as an alternative to traditional overlap joints, which suffer from limited stress transfer efficiency and are affected by construction conditions and high loads, especially in harsh environments and areas subjected to dynamic loads.

The dissertation included an experimental program to conduct direct tensile tests on (31) reinforcing bar samples of different diameters. 

The dissertation reviewed the superiority of bolted sleeve joints in terms of tensile resistance efficiency, which ranged between (90%–107%), compared to the reference samples, as well as achieving a final moment resistance of up to 98.8% when using mechanical joints and improving structural stability when choosing suitable joint locations away from areas of maximum moment.

The dissertation confirmed that the joint location and its distribution directly affect the structural behavior and ductility, with good compliance between the performance of locally manufactured joints and international codes, especially bolted joints.