Title:
Fire Endurance of High-Strength Concrete Slabs
Author(s):
Scott T. Shirley, Ronald G. Burg, and Anthony E. Fiorato
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
85
Issue:
2
Appears on pages(s):
102-108
Keywords:
concrete slabs; fire resistance; high-strength concretes; permeability; silica; temperature; thermal properties; Materials Research
DOI:
10.14359/2306
Date:
3/1/1988
Abstract:
In recent years, use of high-strength concrete ranging in compressive strength from 8000 to 15,000 psi has become more prevalent. Concrete structures, such as high-rise buildings, are now using these materials. Most recently, the use of silica fume as a supplementary cementitious material has developed for design of higher strength concrete mixtures. The objective of this investigation was to develop fundamental information on the behavior of high-strength concrete at elevated temperatures using realistic test specimens. Scope of the work included a review of available literature on performance in fire tests of specimens fabricated from high-strength concrete mixtures, with and without silica fume. The literature review was followed by laboratory tests of 3 x 3 x 0.33-ft slab specimens with embedded reinforcement. Specimens were exposed to elevated temperatures and monitored for temperature rise and physical integrity. Results of fire tests performed on the slab specimens show no measurable difference in performance of high-strength concretes and conventional strength concretes.