P. S. Ambily

Shear Behavior of Reinforced Geopolymer Concrete Thin‑Webbed T-Beams

This paper describes the experimental studies on shear behavior of reinforced geopolymer concrete (RGPC) thin-webbed T-beams. The proportion of KOH to K(2)SiO(3) in alkaline activator solution, the shear span-depth ratio (a/d = 1.9 and 2.5), and percentage of web reinforcement were the test parameters for beam specimens. All the beams were provided with the same flexural reinforcement and were tested under two-point loading. This paper presents the details of the mixture designs of geopolymer concrete (GPC) mixtures, preparation of RGPC beams, testing and evaluation of structural behavior with respect to cracking and limitultimate load, deflections at various stages, and failure modes. The shear strengths of GPC beams obtained in the tests have been compared with the provisions for shear strength of reinforced concrete beams given in ACI 318. It was observed that the performance of the beams was influenced by their compressive strength and stirrup spacing. The results of the study indicate that the performance of RGPC is similar to that of reinforced portland cement concrete beams and the ultimate loads are in the same order.