Experimental study of lightweight aggregate concrete under multiaxial stresses

Lightweight aggregate concrete cube specimens (100 mm×100 mm×100 mm) and plate specimens (100 mm×100 mm×50 mm) were tested under biaxial compression-compression (CC) and compression-tension (CT) load combinations. For comparison, normal concrete plate specimens (100 mm×100 mm×50 mm) were tested under the same load combinations. Based on the test results, a two-level strength criterion of lightweight aggregate concrete in both octahedral stress coordinate and principal stress coordinate was suggested. The lightweight aggregate concrete cube specimens (100 mm×100 mm×100 mm) were then tested under triaxial compression-compression-compression (CCC) load combination with corresponding tests on normal concrete cube specimens (100 mm×100 mm×100 mm). The effect of intermediate principal stress on triaxial compressive strength is further examined. A "plastic flow plateau" area was apparent in principal compressive stress-strain relationships of lightweight aggregate concrete but not in normal concrete. A quadratic formula was suggested for the expression of strength criterion under triaxial compression.