Title: Reinforced Lightweight Concrete Beams in Flexure

Author(s): Lim Hwee Sin, Wee Tiong Huan, Md Rafiqul Islam, and Md Abul Mansur

Publication: Structural Journal

Volume: 108

Issue: 1

Appears on pages(s): 3-12

Keywords: beams; cracking; deflection; ductility; flexure; lightweight concrete; reinforced concrete; serviceability; ultimate strength

DOI: 10.14359/51664197

Date: 1/1/2011

Abstract:
This paper deals with the flexural response of reinforced lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) beams. Twenty-one beams were tested in this study, including three normalweight concrete (NWC) beams for reference, and the research covered a wide range of key parameters to address major design issues such as cracking, deflection, strength, and ductility. The test results indicate that LWAC beams closely resemble NWC beams in terms of ultimate strength, but marked differences may exist with regard to other vital issues, as presented and discussed in this paper. The structural design provisions contained in the major codes of practice are scrutinized in light of these results, and suitable recommendations are made for the confident flexural design of LWAC beams.