Testing and Analysis of Aluconcrete Beams

A series of four-point bending, quasi-static and high-cycle fatigue tests has been conducted on aluconcrete beams consisting of an aluminum extrusion acting compositely with a high-strength concrete infill. Observations and analysis of the quasi-static tests and test results indicate that fully effective composite action was maintained up to failure, with negligible or minimal slip occurring between the aluminum extrusion and high-strength concrete. Failure of the beams during the high-cycle fatigue tests resulted from a gradual degradation of the bond between the concrete and aluminum, resulting in noticeable slip and a corresponding reduction in composite action. Even so, the fatigue test beams, which had a shear bond transmission length of only $575\mathrm{mm}$ , were able to sustain approximately one-quarter of a million load cycles from approximately 5 to 50% of their ultimate load.