Title:
Shear Strength of Lightweight Reinforced
Concrete Beams*
Author(s):
J. A. Hanson
Publication:
Journal Proceedings
Volume:
55
Issue:
9
Appears on pages(s):
387-403
Keywords:
no keywords
DOI:
10.14359/11362
Date:
9/1/1958
Abstract:
This report describes tests employed and the results obtained in a study of the resistance of lightweight structural quality concrete in diagonal tension. A comparison of the shear strengths of the various beams, studied on an equal compressive strength basis, showed somewhat better performance of the sand-and-gravel concrete. However, when the comparison was extended to include a range of shear strength data reported in the literature by other investigators, the particular lightweight aggregate concretes considered here were as strong in shear, on an average basis, as the normal weight concretes. Most of the beams sustained an ultimate load higher than that which caused diagonal cracking, but analysis of test data showed that such excess strength was related to location of the diagonal tension crack. This location was, within limits, a matter of chance, and load capacity above diagonal cracking load was therefore not a dependable quantity. This conclusion is believed generally applicable to beams without web reinforcement in which true diagonal tension may cause or initiate failure. Deflections of the lightweight concrete beams were 15 to 35 percent greater than those of normal weight beams of equal strength.