Characteristics of normal strength concrete with and without chemical admixtures at elevated temperatures

Abstract

Fire is one of the most destructive powers to which a building structure can be subjected. Behavior of concrete when exposed to fire in cases like nuclear plants, cooling towers or any accidental fire in industrial buildings, is a serious concern, on the strength retention property of concrete. This work reports strength retention studies on compressive and split tensile strength of normal concrete with and without the chemical admixture (Reobuild 918, BASF make) at elevated temperatures. Concrete cubes of size 100 mm have been cast as per prior mix design for M30 grade of concrete, 28 days water cured and tested by destructive method for strength before exposure. Later these specimen were subjected to elevated temperatures of 200°C, 400°C, 600°C and 800°C with a retention period of 2 hours and were allowed cool within the furnace to reach ambient temperature. Later their appearance, colour and cracks were observed and also weight losses were determined. Further, destructive tests were conducted to estimate residual compressive and residual split tensile strengths and prediction equations are proposed to ascertain splitting tensile strengths from compressive strengths. © 2011 CAFET-INNOVA TECHNICAL SOCIETY. All rights reserved.