Shear capacity of reinforced lightweight concrete beams: experimental and numerical study

Abstract

Experimental and numerical studies were carried out to investigate the effect of lightweight aggregate type on the shear behavior of reinforced lightweight beams. Total 6 shear-predominant reinforced concrete beams with three different coarse aggregates (natural and two structural lightweight aggregates) were prepared and comparisons were made with existing analytical standards. Three-dimensional non-linear finite element (FE) model was developed to make comparisons with measured shear strengths, cracking and failure patterns from tested reinforced concrete beams subjected to monotonic load.se aggregates (natural and two structural lightweight aggregates) were prepared and comparisons were made with existing analytical standards. Three-dimensional non-linear finite element (FE) model was developed to make comparisons with measured shear strengths, cracking and failure patterns from tested reinforced concrete beams subjected to monotonic load.