Title:
Seismic Shear Behavior of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Square Columns
Author(s):
Serena E. Hendrix and Mervyn J. Kowalsky
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
107
Issue:
6
Appears on pages(s):
680-688
Keywords:
aggregate; columns; seismic
DOI:
10.14359/51664016
Date:
11/1/2010
Abstract:
Described are a series of 16 large-scale tests on lightweight aggregate concrete square columns subjected to reversed cyclic loading. Eight columns were normal-strength (4 ksi [27.6 MPa]) and eight were high-strength (8 ksi [55.2 MPa]). Each set of columns consisted of pairs constructed from shale, clay, slate, and conventional normalweight aggregate. Each pair of tests contained one designed to fail in shear at low ductility, and one was designed to be shear-dominated (although not necessarily suffering shear failure) at high ductility. The Revised UCSD (University of California, San Diego) Shear Model was used to design the specimens. Results indicate that: 1) there is only a small difference among the lightweight aggregate concretes with regard to strength of the concrete shear-resisting mechanism when compared to normalweight concrete specimens; 2) both normal-strength and high-strength lightweight concrete can be designed for high levels of ductility under reversed cyclic loads, thus calling into question the ACI Code 5 ksi (34.5 MPa) limitation on compressive strength for seismic applications; and 3) the Revised UCSD Shear Model, which was initially developed for the design and assessment of circular columns, was shown to be reasonably accurate for square columns.