Title: Measurement and Prediction of Pore Pressures in Saturated Cement Mortar Subjected to Radiant Heating

Author(s): Gary R. Consolazio, Michael C. McVay, and Jeff W. Rish III

Publication: Materials Journal

Volume: 95

Issue: 5

Appears on pages(s): 525-536

Keywords: fire exposure; heat and mass transfer; moisture clog; pore pressure; radiant heating; spalling; thermal analysis;

DOI: 10.14359/395

Date: 9/1/1998

Abstract:
When a saturated (or partially saturated) porous medium is subjected to a high temperature heating source, pore pressures large enough to initiate explosive spalling can be developed within the pore spaces of the material. The level to which these pore pressures ultimately rise depends on the saturation and permeability of the medium as well as the rate at which heat flows into the material. In this paper, experimental and numerical studies involving the measurement and prediction of pore pressures in porous media are presented. Pore pressure data are presented for experimental tests in which saturated cement mortar specimens were subjected to high temperature radiant heating conditions. A numerical modeling technique is then presented and is used to numerically simulate the experimental work. Close agreement is shown between the pore pressures and temperatures recorded experimentally and those predicted through simulation.