Flexural behaviour prediction for RC beams in consideration of compressive stress distribution of concrete with electric arc furnace oxidising slag aggregates

Abstract

Research on the efficient utilisation of electric arc furnace oxidising slag, a by-product of the steel industry, is necessary as it is similar to natural aggregates in terms of chemical composition. The slag is also being produced in increasing amounts every year. This study performed flexural experiments on simply support beams with aggregate type and examined their concrete compressive strength, tension reinforcement ratio and compressive reinforcement ratio as variables to assess the effects of compressive stress distribution of concrete with electric arc furnace oxidising slag aggregates on the flexural behaviour of reinforced concrete beams. Compared to specimens with natural aggregates, electric arc furnace oxidising slag aggregates showed a smaller deflection before the yielding of tension reinforcement and ductile behaviour after yielding due to differences in compressive stress distribution. In addition, the proposed equations for the equivalent rectangular stress block parameter were found to provide more accurate predictions than the criterion used by other countries.

Keywords:

• Concrete
• electric arc furnace oxidising slag aggregates
• equivalent rectangular stress blocks
• flexural strength, ductility
• flexural behaviour