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Retrieved from: Http://hdl.handle.net/1842/1987

Chemical responses of concrete to fire

When subjected to heat, concrete responds not just in instantaneous physical changes, such as
expansion, but by undergoing various chemical changes. There are a number of physical and
chemical changes which occur in the cement subjected to heat. If the temperature reaches
about 400C, the calcium hydroxide in the cement will begin to dehydrate, generating further
water vapor and also bringing about a significant reduction in the physical strength of the
material. For example Quartz-based aggregates increased in volume, due to a minerals
transformation, at about 575C and limestone aggregates will decompose at about 800C. This
physical and chemical changes in concrete will have the effect of reducing the compressive
strength of the material, this generally occurs at around 600C.

Fletcher, I., Borg, A., Hitchen, N., & Welch, S. (2007). Performance of Concrete in Fires: A
Review of the Art, with a Case Study of the Windsor Tower Fire. Areas of Research Examined, 2.

One of the most poorly understood processes in the reaction of concrete to high temperatures
of fire is that of ‘explosive spalling’. This is the process whereby chunks of concrete break off
and are ejected from the surface of the concrete slab, often at fairly high velocities.

Hager, I. (2013). Behavior of Cement at High Temperature. Retrieved from: www.degruyter.com

/…/pasts-2013-001….

Spalling results in loss of section and reduction in the load bearing capacity of an element .
There are different types of high temperature concrete spalling. This range from complete
destruction, through the explosive loosening of larger or smaller pieces of concrete that have
thickness ranging from few millimeters to few centimeters.

Hager, I. (2013). Behavior of Cement Concrete at High Temperature. Retrieve from:

www.degruyter.com/…/boasts-2013-001...

Physical and Mechanical Properties Changes of Heated Concrete

Colour changes in heated concrete. It is generally agreed that when heated to between 300C
and 600C concrete contain siliceous aggregates will turn red; between 600C and 900C, whitish-
grey; and between 900C and 1000C, a buff colour is present. The colour change of heated
concrete result principally from the gradual water removal and dehydration of the cement
paste, but also transformations occurring within the aggregate. The most intense colour
change, the appearance of red colouration, is observed for siliceous riverbed aggregates
containing iron. This colouration is caused by the oxidation of mineral components. While
siliceous aggregates turn red when heated, the aggregates containing calcium carbonate get
whitish. Due to calcination process CaCO3 turns to lime and gives pale shades of white and
grey.

Hélder Francisco Brás Xavier. (July,2009). Analysis of

Reinforced Concrete Frames Exposed to Fire:
Part 1 Global Response Compared to Simplified
Methods. Retrieved from: Repositorio-Aberto.
Up-Pt/Bitstream/10216/58515/000136907.Pdf.

Thermal Properties of Concrete

The specific heat of concrete measures the energy required to raised one degree of
temperature of one unit volume of concrete.

Wie – ting Lin and an Cheng (2007). Department of Civil Engineering, National llan University,
Ilan, Abrasion Resistance of Cement based Composites
ISBN: 978-953-51-0300-4
http://www.inlechopen.com/books/abrasion-resistance-of-materials/abrasion resistance-of-
cement-based-composites

The abrasion resistance of cement based composites is caused by mechanical contact exposure
to flowing water or particulates. Abrasion results mainly in the localized loss of material from
the surface and loosening between the aggregate and paste.

There appears to be a consensus among reader/researcher that compressive strength is a key

factor in abrasion resistance; however opinions vary w/ regard to the claims of Nanni(42) who
suggested that compressive strength is the poor index for evaluation of abrasion resistance
because it neglects surface and curing conditions.

Ian Lindgárd and Tor Arne Hammmer

Fire resistance of Structural Lightweight Aggregate Concrete
A Literature Survey with focus on Spalling
When concrete is under fire,it usually causes a built-up of pressure within the concrete other
exceeding 100C. When the temperature reaches about 400C, the calcium hydroxide in the
cement will begin to dehydrate, generating more water vapor and also bringing out significant
reduction on its physical strength

If collapse occur during a fire, the cause for this is mainly buckling of the reinforcement at high
temperatures.

Mohammad Mansour Kadhum, Et. Al. Mathematical Models

For Prediction of some Mechanical Properties
Of Concrete Exposed to Burning. Retrieved
From: www.uobabylon.edu.iq/…/paper_ed6 -15…

Effect of Exposure Fire Flame on the Colour or Concrete

Since thermal conductivity reduces with the increase in temperature water quenching of the
heated concrete samples has not produced uniform cooling. At the temperature of 400C, there
was no apparent visual discoloration occurred in the concrete. The concrete specimen
subjected to 600C and above suffered noticeable color change. He inner section of the concrete
bluish in color. The dark colored area boundary was very distinct and showed no transition
zone. Outside this, concrete had maintained its color however, when the fire flame
temperature was increased to 850C the inner color was changed to bluish dark grey.

Mr. C Sangluaia, Mk., Dr. C Natarajan& A. Rajaraman. (2013).

Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Slab Subjected to Fire.
International Journal of Computational Engineering
Research Volume 3 Issue1195, 195-204.
DOI: ISSN 2250-3005

Thermal Properties of Concrete:

Thermal conductivity is a capability of a material to conduct heat, and is defined as a ratio of

heat flux to temperature gradient.
Specific heat of a material is the amount of heat per unit mass which is required to change the
temperature of the material by a degree.
Due to its isotropic nature, concretes exhibits thermal expansion when it is subjected to a
temperature change. Cracking occurs when stresses develop in concrete structures due to non-
uniform thermal expansion.
Planning Centralized Building Management Programmes in Response to Large Disaster.
Retrieved from: www.google.com.ph/url?sa..jcne8no4um …526,d.d6c as referred from:
(www.sheltercentre.org&www.proactnetwork.org), (30 jan. 2015)

Damaged concrete cannot be directly used. Concrete can be crushed and recycled as aggregate
or hardcore for building and road base material of foundation.

Concrete can be crushed manually; with a mobile crushing unit or transformed to a specified
specialized concrete crushing plan. Location, volume of concrete waste,local demand for
aggregates and availability of other types of aggregates are determining factors in the choice of
crushing method. The present of local quarries or riverbeds providing gravel could mean that
recycled aggregates is not viable