Effect of loading rate on mechanical properties of autoclaved aerated concrete having steel wool fibres, construction waste and alkaline solution by employing accelerated curing

AbstractThis paper introduces a new method for developing Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) blocks, investigating the impact of different loading rates on compressive strength and failure behaviour. Alkaline solution and accelerated curing tank curing were explored as alternatives to conventional methods using aluminium powder and autoclave curing with fly ash. Construction and demolition waste was used as a substitute for fly ash, and chopped steel wool fibres were added to enhance block strength. The blocks were tested under various loading rates, and stress–strain graphs were generated to calculate Young’s modulus of elasticity values. ANSYS software was used for simulation and comparison, validating the accuracy of analytical models. The study shows a correlation between experimental and simulated values, confirming the successful incorporation of CDW and CSWF in AAC block development. Increasing the loading rate during testing leads to lower measured Young’s modulus, indicating strain rate dependency. However, including CSWF enhances Young’s modulus by redistributing stress and restraining crack propagation. The research contributes to understanding AAC's mechanical properties and performance, supporting its potential as a sustainable alternative for masonry materials in structural applications.Keywords: Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC)chopped steel wool fibres (CSWF)construction and demolition waste (CDW)loading ratestress – strain graphyoung’s modulus of elasticity (E) AcknowledgementThe authors would like to acknowledge Birla Institute of Technology Mesra, Ranchi, India, for providing seed funding for the raw materials necessary for experimental observations and research.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Data availability statementAll data and models generated or used during the study appear in the submitted article.