Experimental Research on Bond Behaviors between Shale Ceramsite Lightweight Aggregate Concrete and Bars through Pullout Tests

Abstract

The bonding behaviors of shale ceramsite lightweight aggregate concrete (SCLC) and normal weight concrete (NC) were experimentally investigated, with SCLC and NC manufactured by incorporating shale ceramsite aggregate and gravel aggregates, respectively. Pullout tests of six-group specimens were conducted (102 pullout specimens in total) to research the load-slip relationship, failure modes, and bond strength of SCLC. Test results indicated that the load-slip relationship and failure modes are dependent on the concrete strength, embedment length, and bar diameter for SCLC. No obvious difference of the peak load occurs for SCLC and NC under the condition of the equivalent strength, but the peak slip for SCLC increases 15–25% compared with NC. The bond strength of SCLC depends on many factors including concrete strength, concrete cover, bar diameter, embedment length, and stirrup ratio.