Title: Assessing Heated Concrete and Masonry with Thermoluminescence

Author(s): Michael Y. L. Chew

Publication: Materials Journal

Volume: 85

Issue: 6

Appears on pages(s): 537-543

Keywords: concretes; damage; evaluation; fires; high temperature; tests; thermoluminescence; Materials Research

DOI: 10.14359/2301

Date: 11/1/1988

Abstract:
Assessment of fire-damaged concrete and masonry to determine whether a structure is still structurally sound depends largely on accurately determining the maximum temperature distribution within the damaged structure. This paper describes a new method that can be used to achieve that. Thermoluminescence (TL) is the light produced when certain materials are heated. Plotting the light output of a heated concrete or masonry specimen against its temperature in a TL test produces a characteristic glow curve of the specimen. By comparing the glow curves of field samples extracted from various locations and depths of a structure after a fire against standard specimens processed in the laboratory, an estimate can be made of the maximum temperature distribution within the structure.