Testing of Normal- and High-Strength Concrete Walls Subjected to Both Standard and Hydrocarbon Fires

Abstract

Ten large-scale concrete wall panels were tested in this study. Four walls were of normal-strength concrete (NSC)-two of which were axially loaded at an eccentricity of 10 mm (0.39 in.) and two with no load-and exposed to either standard or hydrocarbon fires. Four identically dimensioned high-strength concrete (HSC) walls were also tested using these variables. An additional two HSC walls, with polypropylene fibers added, were tested under hydrocarbon fire conditions only. All walls were tested in a vertical position in a large furnace and supported at the top and bottom only. The results indicate that all concrete wall panels exposed to the standard fire tests survived the 120-minute fire period, with low to moderate spalling evident. The NSC walls exposed to hydrocarbon fires also survived the 120-minute test, whereas the HSC walls experienced severe spalling under these fire conditions with failure at 31 minutes. The addition of polypropylene fibers in the concrete improved the fire resistance of HSC walls in hydrocarbon fire to 65 minutes.Copyright © 2013, American Concrete Institute. All rights reserved.