Details of reinforcement of autoclaved aerated concrete lintels for shear and anchorage

This paper is a study of the shear capacity of autoclaved aerated concrete lintels reinforced with unbonded bars. A set of tests was performed to measure the anchorage capacity of the beam ends with seven different configurations. Full lintels were also tested to failure under transverse loading for two steel details. The study of the test results confirms that the lintels fail in a brittle mode when the anchorage capacity of the longitudinal bars is reached. A steel detail producing a stiff truss action at the beam ends relieving the stresses on the concrete shows to be the best arrangement, increasing the strength of the beams and producing a relatively ductile failure.