An experimental study on the interface shear strength of reinforced geopolymer concrete corbels

ABSTRACT Geopolymer concrete is gradually assuming significance from the point of sustainability in the concrete industry. The reinforced concrete corbels are used for supporting the precast beams. This paper presents an experimental investigation on the interface shear strength of reinforced geopolymer concrete corbels. A total of forty-five symmetric double cantilever reinforced GPC corbels were cast and tested. The parameters of the study include the compressive strength of GPC and the percentage of secondary reinforcement i.e. closed loop ties crossing the interface. The experimental shear strength at the interface of reinforced geopolymer concrete corbels obtained is compared with available analytical models and design codes applicable to the conventional concrete. The results of the study indicated that the interface shear capacity of geopolymer concrete was evaluated based on conventional concrete analytical models that underestimates the shear capacity of GPC corbels. Further the experimental shear strengths of corbel are about 9% higher than the predicted interface shear strength of GPC corbels using the analytical expression proposed in this paper.