Effect of Fire on the Properties of Plain and Reinforced Concrete

Abstract

In the present study, compressive strength, amount of water loss and load-deflection behaviour of plain concrete specimens under the effect of fire flame exposure and under uniform temperature are presented. Plain concrete cube specimens of 150 mm were subjected to fire flame temperatures ranging between 600-700ºC at age of 21 days for 3 hours. Plain concrete cube specimens of 100 mm size were heated to two temperature levels of 200ºC and 600ºC for 3 hours. Cube compressive strength and loss in weight were observed and load deflection behaviour was analysed. Past research has shown that the impact of high temperature on concrete involve identification of various changes in physical, thermal, and mechanical properties. Research has demonstrated that changes in the strength of concrete as a function of temperature are related to concrete composition, w/c ratio, presence of additives, and time of concrete exposure to high temperature.