Abstract
With increasing acceptance of performance-based design principles in the field of fire safety, it is imperative to accurately define the behaviour of materials during fire exposure. Real-world fire events, otherwise referred to as natural fires, are defined by four characteristics: heating rate, maximum temperature, exposure duration, and cooling rate. Each of these four characteristics influences concrete’s behaviour in a different manner. In this paper, the available experimental work for concrete, tested at elevated temperatures, is examined to identify the influence of the four natural fire characteristics on concrete compressive strength. This review focuses on normal strength concrete tests only, omitting parameters such as unique additives and confinement. The intent is to provide a fundamental understanding of normal strength concrete. The findings show that maximum temperature and cooling rates have a significant influence on concrete strength. Exposure duration has a moderate impact, particularly at shorter durations. Variable rates of heating have minimal influence on strength. Detailed conclusions are provided along with review limitations, practical considerations for designers, and future research needs.
Highlights
In contrast with timber and steel construction, one of the primary advantages of using concrete as a building material is that it can withstand fire events without burning, melting, or needing additional protective materials
There are a number of material properties that are known to affect concrete strength at elevated temperatures, such as ambient strength, aggregate type, water-cement ratio, additives, and prestress level
Concrete strength is affected by fire characteristics, such as: rate of heating, maximum temperature level, exposure duration, and rate of cooling [4]
Summary
In contrast with timber and steel construction, one of the primary advantages of using concrete as a building material is that it can withstand fire events without burning, melting, or needing additional protective materials. There are a number of material properties that are known to affect concrete strength at elevated temperatures, such as ambient strength, aggregate type, water-cement ratio, additives, and prestress level. The influence of these properties is well investigated in the existing experimental work and detailed in numerous textbooks and literature-review publications [2,3]. Concrete strength is affected by fire characteristics, such as: rate of heating, maximum temperature level, exposure duration, and rate of cooling [4]. The influence of these four fire characteristics is less thoroughly addressed in the existing literature.
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