Title:
On Concrete Properties during Heating and Cooling
Author(s):
Patrick Bamonte, Fabienne Robert, and Thomas Gernay
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
122
Issue:
6
Appears on pages(s):
5-16
Keywords:
compressive strength; fire; high temperature; hot tests; residual tests; thermal diffusivity
DOI:
10.14359/51749132
Date:
11/1/2025
Abstract:
The use of parametric/natural fires in the design of reinforced concrete structures in fire conditions requires an accurate definition of the temperature-induced evolution of the thermal and mechanical properties. Within this context, the characterization of four normal-strength concretes (fc20 = 4200 to 6800 psi [29 to 47 MPa]), with siliceous and carbonate aggregates, are studied herein concerning the thermal diffusivity D (between 68 and 1652°F [20 and 900°C]) and under uniaxial compression after different thermal cycles, with reference maximum temperatures of 392, 752, and 1112°F (200, 400, and 600°C). The results show that thermal diffusivity exhibits mostly irreversible behavior after exposure to temperatures over 1382°F (750°C). Concerning the compressive strength, the hot and residual values (when Ttest = 68°F [20°C]) are, overall, in line with the most common standard provisions. Quite interestingly, the tests carried out at intermediate temperatures (with Ttest ≠ Tmax and Ttest > 68°F [20°C]) highlighted a strength decay, which is not simply an interpolation between hot and residual values.
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