Experimental Evaluation of Reinforced Concrete Columns Produced with Natural Perlite Aggregates

concrete strength levels, namely, of 25 and 40 MPa. Load-displacement curves, energy absorption capacities, stiffness degradation, the moment-curvature relationship, the plastic hinge mechanism and the ductility index were experimentally obtained at two different concrete types along with the measured stress-strain properties of the conventional and perlite concrete. The test results showed that the construction of the RC columns using only perlite may become possible in future by providing an adequate concrete stress-strain capacity, which will be improved.