Evaluation of fire performance of prefabricated concrete buildings in Turkey

Abstract

Two different large-scale industrial structures that were destroyed by fires in 2011 and 2012 in Turkey were examined. The structural framework in the first structure was constructed as prefabricated concrete, while a prefabricated concrete–steel (hybrid) was the structural framework in the second. The post-fire performance of the structures was evaluated according to the structural system properties of the buildings and tests on concrete core and steel reinforcement samples obtained from the structures. Since the fire durations of the two buildings examined were slightly different, in addition to the structural framework differences, material test results were comparatively interpreted for the two structures. The concrete used in the building exposed to the longer fire duration suffered a substantial loss in mechanical properties, the concrete cover in the reinforced concrete elements failed completely, and there was a significant loss in the yield strength of the steel reinforcement. In the second structure, which experienced a fire of shorter duration, although the concrete cover had failed similarly to the first case, there was not a substantial loss in the mechanical properties of the reinforcement and concrete. It was observed that damage to the steel structural framework in the second structure (a prefabricated concrete–steel hybrid) triggered damage in the prefabricated concrete system. The precautions that need to be taken in terms of fire, especially in industrial structures, were evaluated based on either the load-carrying system or the section, and suggestions for improvements are made.