<b>ABSTRACT</b></br>

Plastic strain behavior in the transversal direction to the axis of loading has often been underestimated in concrete design and its strength performance. However, as this article demonstrates, it is fundamental to define the viability of using concrete of a certain composition in real applications. In this study, 15 Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) mixtures produced with Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) were subjected to a monotonic-load test and a 5-cycle loading/unloading test with increasing maximum loads. Continuous monitoring of the applied loads and the SCC strain was performed. In the transversal direction, these tests caused the appearance of a yield step, cracking by vertical splitting, and higher levels of deformability than in the longitudinal direction. It was concluded that the RCA content of SCC should be defined according to serviceability conditions when used in compressed elements, to safeguard against failure due to transversal plastic strain.

</br>

<b>ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS</b></br>

This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry MCIU, AEI and ERDF [grant numbers FPU17/03374 and RTI2018-097079-B-C31; 10.13039/501100011033]; the Junta de Castilla y León (Regional Government) and ERDF [grant number UIC-231, BU119P17]; Youth Employment Initiative (JCyL) and ESF [grant number UBU05B_1274]; the University of Burgos [grant number SUCONS, Y135.GI], UPV/EHU (PPGA20/26) and, finally, our thanks also to the Basque Government research group IT1314-19.