The effect of iron slag substitution on the behavior of cantilever beams with low longitudinal reinforcement and stirrup

This study involves the fabrication and examination of 12 reinforced concrete cantilever beams with different qualities. Cantilever beams vary based on reinforcement ratios, stirrup pitch distances, and iron slag substitution, with the latter replacing 20% of the cement weight. The samples were subjected to the experimental setup, and the behavior of the models under simple bending was investigated. Load-displacement data were collected using a load cell and potentiometer. Ductility and maximum strength values were determined and used to compare and interpret the structural behaviors of the samples. The test results revealed that in the under-reinforced condition, cantilever beams incorporating 20% iron slag exhibited an increase in ductility coefficient ranging from 18% to 23% compared to their counterparts without substitution. These rates ranged from 13% to 18% in the over-reinforced state. Compared to the under-reinforced counterparts, a decrease in the ductility coefficient ranging from 2% and 11% was observed in all specimens in the over-reinforced condition. It was observed that the narrowing of the stirrup pitch distances increased the ductility in all comparisons. When iron slag was substituted, the ductility coefficient ratio increased in all samples, and a slight decrease was observed in the maximum strength.