Title:
High-Temperature Behavior of Lightweight Aggregate Reinforced Concrete Beams
Author(s):
F. Dabbaghi, A. Tanhadoust, M. L. Nehdi, M. Dehestani, H. Yousefpour, and H.-T. Thai
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
119
Issue:
5
Appears on pages(s):
199-212
Keywords:
finite element analysis; flexural capacity; lightweight aggregate; post-fire response; reinforced concrete; residual strength; stress-strain relationship
DOI:
10.14359/51736093
Date:
9/1/2022
Abstract:
Structural lightweight-aggregate concrete (LWAC) has gained a
broad range of applications in the construction industry owing to its reduced dead load and enhanced fire resistance. In this study, the potential of using lightweight expanded clay aggregates as a partial replacement for fine and coarse natural aggregates was experimentally and numerically examined. Testing was performed on cylindrical specimens made of normalweight and lightweight concrete incorporating microsilica as a partial replacement for cement to determine the associated stress-strain behavior. Subsequently, three-point bending testing was conducted on reinforced concrete beams to evaluate their structural behavior. Four levels of temperature were considered: 25°C (ambient temperature), and 250, 500, and 750°C (elevated temperatures). The finite element method through Abaqus software was deployed to numerically investigate the behavior at elevated temperatures through a
comprehensive parametric study. The experimental and numerical results indicate that under high-temperature exposure, LWAC outperforms its normal counterpart in terms of strength, stiffness, and Young’s modulus. It is also noticeable that LWAC beams retained their load-bearing capacity better than normal weight aggregate concrete (NWAC) after reaching the peak load.