Effect of recuring on compressive strength of thermally deteriorated concrete cubes

Abstract

Concrete is found to undergo degradation when subjected to elevated temperatures during an event such as fire and lose substantial amount of its strength. The loss of strength in concrete is mainly attributed to decomposition of C-S-H and release of chemically bound water, which begins when the exposure temperature exceeds 500°C. When thermally deteriorated concrete is supplied with water there is a substantive gain in strength as a consequence of rehydration of cement that is initiated. This paper presents results of an experimental program carried out to investigate the effect of recuring on strength gain of normal strength concrete specimens subjected to elevated temperatures from 500°C to 800°C, which were subjected to retention time of two hours at the designated temperatures. © 2011 CAFET-INNOVA TECHNICAL SOCIETY. All rights reserved.