Spalling, Thermal, and Hydrous Behavior of Ordinary and High-Strength Concrete Subjected to Elevated Temperature
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 23, Issue 7
Abstract
The experimental results of five concrete mixes subjected to high temperatures are presented in this paper with the aim of highlighting explosive spalling. The specimens were subjected to heating-cooling cycles from room temperature to 150, 300, 450, or 600°C. Two levels of heating rates (i.e., 0.1 and ) with a fixed time of one hour at the maximum temperature and a free cooling were imposed. The experimental results showed a link between the evolution of the thermal gradient in the specimens and the specimens’ weight losses. The results also showed that the thermal stability of the concrete mixes was a function of the water to cement ratio, heating rate, and specimen dimensions. The scale effect on the spalling phenomenon was demonstrated, and a critical temperature was determined. The factors leading to the explosive spalling of the concrete were studied and identified as (1) low permeability, (2) weak water departure from the concrete, and (3) an increase of the thermal gradient. It appeared that the thermal gradient (i.e., thermal stress) alone could not explain the explosive spalling of concrete.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 23 • Issue 7 • July 2011
Pages: 921 - 930
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 13, 2009
Accepted: Jan 10, 2011
Published online: Jan 12, 2011
Published in print: Jul 1, 2011
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