Experimental evaluation of reinforced concrete columns produced with natural perlite aggregates under cyclic loading

A total of four reinforced concrete (RC) columns were tested to compare the structural capacities of RC columns produced by natural perlite aggregates and conventional concrete. The structural performance of the RC columns made from natural perlite aggregates was compared to conventional RC columns regarding the same concrete strength levels, sectional properties, and reinforcement layouts of conventional RC columns. The RC columns were tested under a combined constant axial load ratio of 30% with cyclic loading for two concrete strength levels, namely, 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 the future by providing an adequate concrete stress–strain capacity, which will be improved. Additionally, the use of natural perlite aggregates can contribute to sustainable construction practices by reducing the reliance on conventional aggregates. © 2025 The Author(s). Structural Concrete published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Federation for Structural Concrete.