In recent decades, lightweight aggregate concrete (LWC) became a popular building material due to its desired properties. However, various attributes of LWC, such as bond behavior of used reinforcing, have not been described thoroughly. In this regard, LWC produced with 0%, 50%, and 100% expanded clay aggregate was designed, and the physical–mechanical properties were assessed for material characterization. Subsequently, the bond behaviors of LWC reinforced with steel, glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP), and basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars were evaluated by pull-out tests. The results of the experimental program allowed the effects of expanded clay aggregate incorporation on LWC properties to be quantified. The bond strength of BFRP bars was not affected by the replacement of coarse aggregate by expanded clay aggregate, whilst the GFRP bars showed lower bond strength values of LWC specimens. Contrarily, in the case of steel bars, both the bond strength and bond stiffness were higher for LWC specimens than for those of normal concrete. Finite element software ATENA 3D was used for simulation of the bond behavior of LWC, and the model validated by the experimental results referred to reasonably corresponding outputs.

The bond-slip relationship between concrete and steel is significant in evaluating the nonlinear behavior of reinforced concrete structures. The force transmitted by the bond in reinforced concrete structures was studied numerically in high-strength, lightweight concrete with ribbed reinforcing steel bar or seven-wire strand, using ATENA 3D software. The first part of the study was a validation of the model based on the actual results of standardized pull-out tests using the software. Subsequently, the bond behavior was studied, where a four-point static bending test was modeled based on the real bond-slip relationship of the pull-out test. It was deduced that the ATENA 3D software can simulate the experimental tests and provide meaningful results. In addition, inferred from the numerical modeling, the maximum crack width and the mid-span deflection of the reinforced concrete beam increased when the bond stress between the concrete and the reinforcing steel bars was decreased. When a high amount of reinforcement (two strands) was used, concrete failure occurred before the strands yielded. However, further increase of the bond stress also decreased the maximum crack width and mid-span deflection. The failure occurred due to the increase in the strand yielding point by using one strand as a reinforcement of the beam.

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