Behaviour of unreinforced expanded polystyrene lightweight concrete (EPS-LWC) wall panel enhanced with steel fibre

This study used steel fibre as reinforcement while enhancing the eps-lwc strength. in line with architectural demand and ventilation requirement,opening within wall panel was also taken into account. experimental tests were conducted for reinforced and unreinforced eps-lwc wall panel. two samples with size of 1500 mm (height) x 1000 mm (length) x 75 mm (thickness) for each group of wall panel were prepared. samples in each group had opening size of 600 mm (height) x 400 mm (length) located at 350 mm and 550 mm from upper end respectively. eps-lwc wall panel had fcu of 20.87 n/mm2 and a density of 1900 kg/m3. the loading capacity,displacement profiles and crack pattern of each sample was analyzed and discussed. unreinforced eps-lwc enhanced with steel fibre resist almost similar loading as reinforced eps-lwc wall panel. the presence of steel fibre as the only reinforcement creates higher lateral displacement. wall panel experience shear failure at the side of opening. the number of micro cracks reduces significantly due to presence of steel fibre. © school of engineering,taylor’s university.