Abstract
Exposing concrete to high temperature causes progressive breakdown of the cement gel structure and consequently severe deterioration and loss in the structure’s load bearing capacity. This paper presents an experimental study on the mechanical and physicochemical properties of lightweight self-consolidating concrete (LWSCC) subjected to high temperatures. Four LWSCC mixes and one normal-weight self-consolidating concrete (NWSCC) were tested. The specimens underwent two different tests: a fire test and a thermal characterization test. The first is the ISO fire test, which consists of heating the prismatic specimens according to the standard fire curve up to 600°C. The second test is the thermal characterization test, which consists of heating the specimens at a rate of up to 400°C. Ultimate and residual compressive strength, loss of mass, density, water porosity, spalling characteristics, and other physicochemical properties before and after the fire tests were recorded. The LWSCC performed differently from the NWSCC with respect to mechanical properties and spalling resistance. Scanning electron microscopy and backscatter electron images analysis were performed to study the microstructure of both heated and unheated specimens.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support of the University of Cergy-Pontoise, the Visiting Scholars Program. This research project is one of a series of projects between the University of Alabama in Huntsville and the University of Cergy-Pontoise. Thanks to Annelise Cousture, Engineer at the University of Cergy-Pontoise, for her help in processing the SEM images.
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 27 • Issue 12 • December 2015
Copyright
© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 20, 2014
Accepted: Jan 26, 2015
Published online: Apr 3, 2015
Discussion open until: Sep 3, 2015
Published in print: Dec 1, 2015
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