Response of Recycled Coarse Aggregate Concrete Subjected to Pure Shear

Abstract

There is increasing interest in using recycled aggregate in concrete. Prior research has focused primarily on the compressive and tensile strength of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC), and no data pertaining to the pure-shear behavior of RAC is currently available. Thus, in this experimental program, five 890×890×70 mm (35.6×35.6×2.8 in.) RAC panels, constructed with different amounts of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA), were tested under pure-shear loading. The transverse reinforcement ratio was also varied (0.00%, 0.46%, and 0.81%). During each experiment, applied loads as well as global and local strains were monitored, and crack widths were measured. The test results were compared with predictions obtained using the modified compression field theory (MCFT), American Concrete Institute (ACI), and Canadian Standard Association (CSA) provisions. Comparison of the measurements and predictions showed that MCFT provided accurate estimates of failure shear stresses and strains, along with the full load-deformation response of all elements tested. In contrast, both ACI and CSA provisions gave conservative estimates of the experimental strengths.