Abstract
The paper presents the results of experimental investigation of lightweight cementitious composites with cenospheres (LCCC) exposed to high temperatures. We showed the positive effect of cenospheres on post- fire residual compressive strength in previous papers. This paper focuses on the LCCC with the addition of polypropylene (PP) fibres. Specimens are heated up to 400, 600, 800, 1000 and 1200 °C. Then they are cooled to ambient temperature and their residual flexural and compressive strength is tested. The results are compared with non-heated specimens with compressive strength above 50 MPa. For plain LCCC composites, the results show significant improvement of residual compressive strength in comparison with typical concretes. No significant changes of compressive strength are found after exposure to temperatures up to 600°C – more than 85 % of the residual compressive strength is retained after exposure to this temperature for both mixes. Polypropylene fibres are found to be a successful mean to mitigate spalling without significantly lowering neither ambient nor residual compressive strength. Moreover, designed composite has low density and low thermal conductivity at room temperature.
Highlights
Concrete structures can withstand fire for relatively long time periods due to low thermal diffusivity of concrete and the size of cross-sections
Concrete does not regain strength after heating. This means that residual tests might be good indicator of strength at elevated temperature
The most important characteristics of microspheres are low bulk density, low thermal conductivity at room temperature 0.1 W/(m·K) [1], low coefficient of thermal expansion (6.13·10-6 1/K) according to [2] and high melting temperature, which is above 1200 °C
Summary
Concrete structures can withstand fire for relatively long time periods due to low thermal diffusivity of concrete and the size of cross-sections. Concrete does not regain strength after heating. This means that residual tests might be good indicator of strength at elevated temperature. One possible way to obtain heat-resistant concrete is using High Alumina Cement or geopolymers concrete. Cenosphere has its own special properties, that are in demand when fire resistance is considered: low thermal conductivity and high thermal stability. Cenosphere (or microsphere) is a hollow silica and alumina sphere with a diameter less than 0.5 mm. The most important characteristics of microspheres are low bulk density (about 400 kg/m3), low thermal conductivity at room temperature 0.1 W/(m·K) [1], low coefficient of thermal expansion (6.13·10-6 1/K) according to [2] and high melting temperature, which is above 1200 °C
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