CONCRETE IN FIRE EXPOSURE

1- Real Life Cases

1- Real Life Cases

2- Types of Fires
Cellulosic Fires:
from finishings, furniture, paper, wood.
Reaches 900C in 45min. And 1050C in 2hrs.
Hydrocarbon Fires:
From fuel such as oil, gasoline,
Reaches 900C in 4min. And 1100C in 20 min.

2- Types of Fires

3- Behaviour Essentials
Yield strength of steel is unaffected till 400C.
Yield strength is 55% of its original value at 550C (Critical
Temperature).
Stresses in steel members are around 55% of the yield
strength. So if steel temp reaches 550C, failure will occur.
Concrete starts to lose strength very early. It loses 10% of
its strength at 150C. It loses 20% of its strength at 300C.
The major loss is at 550C (concrete loses between 50%
and 75%).
Concrete strength is considered completely lost at 600C.

3- Behaviour Essentials

4- Failure Mechanisms of Concrete in Fire

Strength Loss in cement Matrix:
Loss of free water (or capillary water) at 100C.
Loss of bound (adsorbed) water starts at 150C
Degradation of cement paste hydrates at 300C (calcium
oxide is released).
Major strength loss between 550C 600C
Complete failure between 850C 900C.

4- Failure Mechanisms of Concrete in Fire

Spalling:
Takes place slowly with fire propagation. Slabs and
beams soffits are more susceptible to spalling.
It is affected by the degree of saturation of concrete,
and its permeability.
Moisture content of 3% (or more) is considered critical.
Low permeability Concrete is prone to explosive
spalling. (HSC)

6- Improving The Fire Resistance of Concrete

Increasing the concrete thickness.
Adding sand cement render or gypsum plaster or other
passive protection layers.
Adding polypropylene fibers to the mix. Why?

6- Improving The Fire Resistance of Concrete

5- The Influence of Aggregate Type

The difference in thermal properties between aggregates
and cement matrix is the main concern.
Siliceous aggregate is the worst (gravel, granite).
Dolomitic aggregate is better. Basalt is the best.
One reason is that; their coefficients of thermal expansion
are closer to that of the matrix.
Another reason is: siliceous aggregate changes phase at
570C with considerable volume increase.

5- The Influence of Aggregate Type

Carbonate aggregates degrade at elevated temperature as
follows:
Calcium carbonate releases carbon dioxide at 660C.
Magnesium carbonate releases carbon dioxide at 740C.
Carbon dioxide is believed to blanket thermal
propagation.
Light weight aggregates, sintered and synthetic aggregates
perform very good in dry fires because of the thermal
expansion compatibility with cement matrix and the high
bond with the paste.

5- The Influence of Aggregate Type

6- Improving The Fire Resistance of Concrete

6- Improving The Fire Resistance of Concrete

7- Evaluation of Concrete Structures Exposed

to Fire
Visual Inspection: concrete colour changes to pink when
temp. reaches 300C and becomes grey again when temp
reaches 600C.
Cores and strength testing is not very helpful.
Non-destructive testing using rebound hammer is not
helpful.

Assignment 2:
1- Sketch (on the same axes) the relation between Temperature
and Strength for Concrete and Steel.

2- How is each of the following factors affect concrete

resistance to fire exposure:
concrete strength and aggregate type?
In your answer explain the main concrete failure mechanisms.

Assignment 2:
3- An industrial building in a new city near Cairo suffered a
fire. You were asked to check the structure after the fire and
prepare a report. The main observations you made were: the
concrete colour is pink; the coarse aggregate is dolomite; and
No steel rebars are exposed.
a)Estimate the concrete temperature at the end of the fire and
the percent of concrete strength loss.
b)If the coarse aggregate were basalt, would the concrete
strength loss be the same?
c)How would a high strength concrete column fail in fire?