Standardization of high‐temperature specific heat capacity test parameters of fire‐resistant gypsum board

Abstract

SummaryThe specific heat capacity at the high temperature of fire‐resistant gypsum boards plays a vital role in the simulation accuracy of the thermal response for cold‐formed steel (CFS) composite structures. However, there are not given comprehensive and accurate values in the existing standard for test parameters (including heating rate, sample quality, and sample size) used in the test of the specific heat capacity of gypsum boards. This situation leads to large differences in test results. This paper aimed to provide standardized test parameters for obtaining accurate specific heat capacity curves of gypsum boards. First, the effect of test parameters was quantified by 10 groups of specific heat capacity tests of gypsum boards through the uniform design; Then, the standardized values of test parameters were proposed combined with sample composition analysis and finite element numerical analysis: the heating rate was 12°C/min, the sample mass was 18 mg, the sample particle size was 45 to 48 μm; Finally, the standardized test parameters were verified by comparing with the test results of cold‐formed steel composite floors in the literature. The results show that the specific heat capacity curve of gypsum boards measured by the standardized test parameters proposed to this paper has good accuracy for simulating the time‐temperature curve of cold‐formed steel composite floors. It is conducive to accurately assess the fire resistance of cold‐formed steel composite floors. The test parameter standardization method can also be extended to other building materials. As a result, the specific heat capacity test can follow a basic standard.