Mechanical behavior of reinforced concrete hybrid beams made with normal concrete, foamed cellular concrete and fber reinforced foamed cellular concrete

Abstract

Cellular concrete has increased in popularity in the construction industry due to its particular characteristics. It is classifed as lightweight concrete and its structural behavior is consistent with this defnition, showing less rigidity and more brittleness compared to normal concrete. In this work, experimental results obtained through bending tests on hybrid beams formed by two layers, one of normal concrete and the other of foamed cellular concrete, reinforced with polypropylene fbers, are presented. In this way, it was sought to increase the rigidity of the elements subjected to bending, through the incorporation of the normal density concrete layer and, in addition, to reduce the fragility of the foamed cellular concrete, through the addition of polypropylene fbers. Furthermore, the interface between both layers was treated with chemical glue for concrete, to achieve a better structural behavior of the elements. Characterization of the materials used was also carried out. In this way, the mechanical properties of the diferent concrete are analyzed and compared and the bending behavior of the hybrid beams is evaluated. Conclusions are drowned.