Response of High-Strength Concrete Columns under Design Fire Exposure
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 137, Issue 1
Abstract
The behavior of RC columns, especially those fabricated from high-strength concrete (HSC), under design fire exposure is not well quantified. Results from fire resistance experiments on six RC columns are presented in this paper. The test variables include concrete strength (permeability), fire scenario, load ratio and the presence of polypropylene fibers in concrete mix. Data from these fire tests is used to validate a macroscopic finite element model specifically developed for tracing the fire response of RC columns. Results from fire tests and numerical studies are used to illustrate the comparative performance of HSC and normal-strength concrete (NSC) columns under design fire conditions. Results from fire experiments show that HSC columns exhibit lower fire resistance than that of NSC columns. However both HSC and NSC columns do not experience failure under most design fire scenarios. The addition of polypropylene fibers to concrete mitigates fire-induced spalling and enhances fire resistance of HSC columns.
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Acknowledgments
The research presented in this paper is primarily supported by the National Science Foundation CMMI program (Grant No. NSFCMS 0601178) and Portland Cement Association. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this paper are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsors.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 137 • Issue 1 • January 2011
Pages: 69 - 79
Copyright
© 2011 ASCE.
History
Received: Sep 21, 2009
Accepted: May 31, 2010
Published online: Jun 15, 2010
Published in print: Jan 2011
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