Abstract
This study presents experimental and numerical investigations on seven one-way, reinforced concrete (RC) slabs with a new technique of slab weight reduction using polystyrene-embedded arched blocks (PEABs). All slabs had the same dimensions, steel reinforcement, and concrete compressive strength. One of these slabs was a solid slab, which was taken as a control slab, while the other six slabs were cast with PEABs. The main variables were the ratio of the length of the PEABs to the length of the slab (lp/L) and the ratio of the height of the PEABs to the total slab depth (hP/H). The minimum decrease in the ultimate load capacity was about 6% with a minimum reduction in the slab weight of 15%. In contrast, the maximum decrease in the ultimate load capacity was about 24% with a maximum reduction in the slab weight of 40%. Moreover, the mode of failure changed from flexure to shear failure, especially for those slabs with an lP/L ratio equal to one. The geometric and material non-linearity was adopted in the proposed finite element (FE) model to simulate the slabs with PEABs using Abaqus software. Good agreement was obtained between the developed FE and experimental results.
Highlights
When a load starts acting on a voided slab, the compressive force tends to be fully captured by the concrete above the void while the tensile force is captured by the steel in tension zones
FiTnhde iunltgims aotfe ltohaed TcaepsatciRtieess,umltosdeasnodf fDailiusrceu, slosaido–ndseflection responses, and strains in concTrhetee uwletriemoabtserlvoeaddducaripnagcloitaideisn,gmanoddearseodfisfcauisluserde,bleoloawd.–deflection responses, and in concrete were observed during loading and are discussed below
The option used to establish the post-cracking damage attributed to the CDP model was utilized to describe the finite element (FE) crack patterns. From this figure it can be observed that the FE crack patterns were quite similar to the experimental cracks, demonstrating that the proposed FE model accurately captured the behavior of slab specimens with polystyrene-embedded arched blocks (PEABs)
Summary
Slabs are pivotal members for any structural building to make spaces Their role is necessary for roof and floor constructions and decks of bridges. Slab construction may take various forms, such as ribbed slabs, cast-in-situ solid, and precast units Aside from this, they can extend in one or two directions to transport their loads to concrete beams, walls, steel beams, and columns. In 2000, voided slabs were introduced as a novel way to minimize the self-weight by effectively replacing a large volume of concrete with inserts [1]. Numerous analytical and experimental studies were conducted to investigate the effect of voids embedded in concrete slabs in aspects of their mateDriuarlsinagntdhegleaosmt deetcryay[s1,2n–u1m5]e.rGouesnearnaalllyyt,icthaleamndaienxpfoecriumseonftatlhsetsuedsietusdwieesrewcoansdouncttehde troedinuvcetisotingsaitne wtheeigehffte,catsowf veloliadsstehme bfleedxudreadl ianncdosnhceraertestsrleanbgstihn. Tinabthlee1msausms mofacroiznecsrethtee. dTeatbaliels1osfutmhemsaervieznesRtChe sdlaebtasialsccoofrdthinegsetovetnheRtCypselaobfssalacbco(rsdoilnidgotrovtohiedteydp),eleonf gstlahb, a(nsodlihdeiogrhvt ooifdtehde)P, lEeAngBtsh. , and height of the PEABs
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
