Analytical Modeling of the Force-Displacement Behavior of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Lintels and Validation Using Experimental Methods

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) is a lightweight, cellular concrete. It is precast and used in structural applications. Excellent thermal and fire resistance are advantages to the innovative material. AAC was introduced to the US market in the 1990's. Design provisions for AAC masonry were introduced in the Masonry Design Code in 2005. These codes do not reference experimental testing of reinforced, grouted AAC lintels. Previous research has been completed at the University of Wyoming under Dr. Jennifer Tanner Eisenhauer regarding strength testing of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete lintels. This research was continued under Dr. Tanner's advisement. This research further investigated and analyzed the performance of lightly reinforced, grouted AAC lintels in these testing procedures against current design codes. Moment-curvature analysis was performed, and using these relationships, an analytical model was developed. The model predicted displacements at yield and at ultimate strain in the steel. This model can be used to predict the behavior of reinforced, grouted AAC lintels.