Structural Behavior of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer-Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Panels

Abstract

Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) is an ultra-lightweight concrete with 1/5 the weight of ordinary concrete due to entrained air bubbles. This paper examines the structural behavior of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP)-AAC panels, with the ultimate goal of contributing to tools for the design of CFRP-AAC panels for building construction. The structural system is based on the concept of sandwich construction with strong and stiff FRP composite skins bonded to an inner AAC panel. The CFRP reinforcement was applied on the top and bottom faces of the AAC panel using several processing techniques, including hand lay-up as well as vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding. Several reinforcing schemes with the CFRP skin were used to optimize flexural/shear behavior of the hybrid CFRP-AAC sandwich panels. Experimental results showed that the AAC beams demonstrated an increase in ultimate flexural capacity and stiffness due to the influence of the FRP. Most of the CFRP-AAC panels remained intact even after the ultimate load had been reached. The load-deflection curves showed a ductile behavior of the panels that indicates that the CFRP-AAC combination is synergetic in nature. Overall, AAC bonds well with the CFRP provided that the processing, compaction and curing are done properly.