LAUSR

Abstract The bond-slip behavior of reinforcing bars in lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) was investigated. Effects of different concrete strengths (39.4, 48.7, 62.7 and 83.2 MPa), diameters of reinforcing bars (12, 16 and 20 mm) and embedded lengths (50 and 80 mm) on the bond-slip properties of rebar in LWAC were experimentally studied. The thick-walled model was adopted to provide the analytical bond strength solution of LWAC. Three-dimensional finite element (FE) model considering the effect of radial stress around the rebar was established to conduct simulations. The proposed bond stress-slip model showed good precision to test curves, and the established FE model was able to reflect the crack propagation at the inner of concrete. The splitting bond strength of LWAC was found to be better than that of normal weight concrete according to FE analysis.