ABSTRACT
Experimental work provided evidence that more sudden failures occurring at lower capacities result when lap spliced bars terminate at a bed joint rather than within a block course. Half-height blocks were used as the top and bottom courses in select specimens to ensure that specimens with otherwise similar geometry would have lap spliced bars of the same length terminating either within a bed joint or block course. This chapter presents the design of an experimental program with the aim of evaluating the resistance of lap splices terminating either within a block course or bed joint. It also presents the results of an experimental program consisting of 30 wall splice specimens tested under four-point loading. The chapter describes the geometry, construction, material properties, and testing of the specimens included in the database. It provides a summary of the results obtained from the load and deflection data obtained during specimen testing.
