Thermal properties of concrete - Modulus of

elasticity and compressive strength

Concrete is a non-combustible material and can perform well under elevated temperatures as
compared to steel structures. However, the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties change
when exposed to fire. The thermal coefficient of expansion of silica minerals is higher when
compared to other minerals, that is, cement paste expands more than aggregate. This explains
why high-strength concrete may explode when exposed to fire, given that silica fume is generally
used for HSC which increases the brittleness of the concrete.

Above 110˚C, dehydration of water bound to the CSH becomes significant. At 300˚C,
microcracks are induced. At 530˚C, Calcium Hydroxide dissociates which causes shrinkage of
concrete. Hence, spalling and surface cracking are the general effects observed when concrete is
exposed to high temperatures. At 600˚C, the CSH gel further decomposes. At 800˚C, concrete
crumbles, and above 1150˚C, feldspar melts and other minerals of the cement paste turn into a
glass phase.

Fig-1: Comparison of Normalized Compressive Strength vs. Temperature

The normalized compressive strength (Fig-1) generally decreases with temperature. The
deterioration of compressive strength is faster after a temperature of 400℃. The compressive
strength at 874℃ is zero as per the ASCE. The decrease in compressive strength from 20℃ to
400℃ is much slower when compared to the range from 400℃ to 800℃. The rate of loss of
compressive strength of the concrete is almost the same for both M20 and M45 specimens,
which reached 60% after heating at 500℃, and the compressive strength of M60 is only 35% at
500℃. For M20 and M45 at a temperature of about 800℃, the residual strength reduces to zero,
whereas for M60, the strength reduces to zero at 700℃ itself.

Fig-2: Variation of normalized compressive strength with temperature for concrete subjected to 1
hour of high temperature and subsequent cooling
Figure 2 shows the compressive strength-temperature variation of concrete specimen of M20,
M45 and M60. It is clear from the graph that with increasing temperature, compressive strength
decreases irrespective of the grade of concrete. The effect of elevated temperature on the
compressive strength is greater for M60 concrete than for M45 and M20.

Fig-3: Comparison of Normalized Elastic Modulus vs. Temperature

The values of elastic modulus obtained at ambient temperature of M20, M45 and M60 concretes
are 28,360 MPa, 37,080 MPa and 42,500 MPa, respectively. The comparison of temperature
dependent variation of elastic modulus (Fig-3) shows that the rate of decrease of modulus of
elasticity is more for M60 compared to M45 and M20. The elastic modulus becomes equal to
zero at 800C for M20, 700C for M45 and 600C for M20 specimens. The deterioration of elastic
modulus for different grades of concrete can be attributed to excessive thermal stresses and
changes in micro-structure.
 Fig-4: Elastic modulus vs. Temperature for concrete subjected to one hour of high temperature
and subsequent cooling

The rate of decrease of modulus of elasticity is more for M60 compared to M45 and M20. The
elastic modulus becomes equal to zero at 800℃ for M20, 700℃ for M45 and 600℃ for M20. It is
observed from the graph that elastic modulus for M60 decreases at a greater rate. For
temperatures above 600℃, the concrete is of no significance due to the elastic modulus and
residual compressive strength attaining a near zero value.
References

1. Khoury GA, Majorana CE, Pesavento F, Schrefler BA. Modelling of heated concrete. Mag
Concr Res 2002;54(2): 77–101
2. Hertz KD. Concrete strength for fire safety design. Mag Concr Res 2005;57(8):445–53.
3. Georgali B, Tsakiridis PE. Microstructure of fire-damaged concrete. Cem Concr Compos
2005;27:255–9.
4. ANUPAMA KRISHNA, D., PRIYADARSINI, R.S. & NARAYANAN, S. High temperature
effects on different grades of concrete. Sādhanā 46, 31 (2021).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12046-020-01536-6