Reinforced Lightweight Foamed Concrete for Seismically Resistant Low-rise Residential Buildings

Author(s): Trevor P.A. Dunn, Algurnon S. van Rooyen and Gideon P.A.G. van Zijl
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: Proceeding of the 71st RILEM Annual Week & ICACMS 2017
Editor(s): Manu Santhanam, Ravindra Gettu, Radhakrishna G. Pillai, Sunitha K. Nayar
ISBN:978-2-35158-195-7, 978-2-35158-190-2 (Set)
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-191-9
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2017
Pages: 269-278
Total Pages: 10
Language : English

Abstract: This project investigates the appropriateness of reinforced lightweight foamed concrete (LWFC) used as a structural building system in a pioneering study on the seismic resistance of low-rise LWFC buildings. LWFC, whose current uses are limited to insulation and void filling, can be altered with appropriate mix design to give at a dry density of ρc=1400 kg⁄m3,compressive strength of 19 MPa and elastic modulus of 9 GPa, raising the question of its structural viability. Government-subsidized housing in a developing country such as South Africa is limited cost-wise by land availability. The congested Cape Town CBD requires innovative housing solutions to ensure access for lower income earners: low- rise residential infrastructure is a practical solution. It is assumed that these buildings will form part of a large-scale project, and that precast LWFC elements will lead to a cost-time benefit of construction, but may create weaknesses at the element connections under seismic loads expected in this region. In the research to be reported in this contribution, the resistance of mechanical wall-to-wall connections will be tested dynamically and compared to cast-in- situ monolithic connections to establish the structural viability of such a design in an area of moderate seismic activity. An iterative computational and physical laboratory experimental approach is followed.

Online publication :2017
Publication type :full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00