Mechanisms of Spalling of Concrete Panels of Different Geometry in Hydrocarbon Fire
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 28, Issue 12
Abstract
Concrete spalling results primarily from a thermo-mechanical process because of high thermal gradients, and a moisture-clog process because of the build-up of pore-water pressure. This paper attempted to isolate these mechanisms and quantify their magnitude. Twelve reinforced concrete panels were tested under hydrocarbon fire conditions. The test conditions included different thicknesses, concrete strengths, and specimen sizes. The panels were tested with no additional loading except self weight, and instrumented with in situ thermocouples and pore-pressure gauges. Spalling was quantified according to mass loss and visually represented by three-dimensional (3D) contour surface plots. The research presented for the first time a method to quantify spalling as mass loss in terms of water mass and solid mass. The continuous moisture transport during heating produces a saturated drying front, causing strength degradation and cracking that allows water pooling on the nonexposed fire side. The moisture transport plays an important role in all the mechanisms that contribute to concrete spalling.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 28 • Issue 12 • December 2016
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 18, 2015
Accepted: May 2, 2016
Published online: Jul 15, 2016
Published in print: Dec 1, 2016
Discussion open until: Dec 15, 2016
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