Concrete’s Odyssey Through Heat: A Review
Ashok R Mundhada1, Arun D Pofale2
1Ashok R. Mundhada, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Prof. Ram Meghe Institute of Technology & Research, Badnera (Maharashtra). India.
2Arun D. Pofale, Retired Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur (Maharashtra). India.
Manuscript received on 15 February 2017 | Revised Manuscript received on 22 February 2017 | Manuscript Published on 28 February 2017 | PP: 16-34 | Volume-6 Issue-3, February 2017 | Retrieval Number: C4821026317/17©BEIESP
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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: Fire is a catastrophic event to which any building can fall victim during its lifetime. Not only does it pose a direct threat to the occupants through the release of harmful gases and devastating heat, but the elevated temperatures themselves also have seriously adverse effects on the structural integrity of entire building. Though undesired, fire is an exigency that cannot be avoided altogether. Therefore, impact of fire on concrete/ RCC deserves minute scrutiny. In this study, a review is carried out based on the experimental studies on the performance of concrete/RCC when exposed to FIRE/ higher temperatures. The compiled test data revealed distinct difference in mechanical properties of normal, high strength, self compacting & improvised concrete. Shape & size of specimens, concrete grade, admixtures, temperature level, applied load, exposure time to heat, rate of heating, rate of cooling, specimen type (stressed/unstressed member), type of cooling etc were the parameters that influenced the test results. Exposure time, exposure temperature & concrete cover were observed to be the principal factors. The outcome of the review helped in identifying the main problem areas, dubious claims & gaps/ lacunae in the research works.
Keywords: Concrete, Fire, RCC, Spalling
Scope of the Article: Concrete Structures