Lightweight aggregate concrete (LWC) is an attractive alternative to conventional concrete in building construction. It leads to lighter self-weight in beams and floor slabs and thus might have a positive impact on reinforcing steel consumption, also reducing the loads withstood by columns and foundations. However, LWC may increase cement consumption to maintain the required concrete compressive strength. This study presents compact equations for the design of reinforced LWC beams and subsequently applies them to a parametric analysis programmed in MATLAB. The aim of this analysis is to obtain an estimation of the equivalent carbon dioxide emissions associated with steel and cement consumption if using LWC instead of conventional concrete. The analysis involves more than 3 million beams simulating real scenarios by varying different design parameters, such as mix design, concrete strength, span length and applied loads and verifying both Ultimate and Serviceability Limit States. Whereas LWC of density equal or below 1600 kg/m3 does not seem to be feasible when trying adequately control cement content, the study shows that LWC with densities of 1800 and 2000 kg/m3 would not have a negative impact on the carbon dioxide emissions and would adequately comply with the various design restrictions.

A numerical model for the analysis of frame structures that is capable of reproducing the behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) members and steel-reinforced concrete (SRC) members in all steps until collapse by simulating a reduced resistance capacity is presented in this work. Taking into account the solid models obtained in previous research that have been validated by experimental results, moment-curvature graphics were obtained in all steps: elastic, plastic, and post-critical to collapse. Beam models versus 3D models considerably simplified the calculation of frame structures and correctly described both the plastic and post-critical phases. The moment-curvature graph can be used in a simplified frame analysis, from post critical behavior to collapse.