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Caetano, Ferreira, Rodrigues & Pimienta 2019
Caetano, Ferreira, Rodrigues & Pimienta 2019
h i g h l i g h t s
a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t
Article history: The high temperatures of fires affect the physical and chemical properties of the concrete and thus influ-
Received 11 August 2018 ence its mechanical properties. This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation on the
Received in revised form 6 December 2018 compressive strength at high temperatures of high-strength fibre concretes. The influence of the high
Accepted 13 December 2018
temperatures on the physical and chemical changes of the concrete was also analysed by Thermo
Available online 20 December 2018
Gravimetric Analysis/Differential Thermal Analysis (TGA/DTA), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning
Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (SEM/EDS). Five concrete compositions with
Keywords:
different steel fibre contents and types have been tested: one without steel fibres (reference composi-
High strength concrete
Fibres
tion), two with Dramix 3D steel fibres and two with Dramix 5D steel fibres (45 and 75 kg/m3). This
Steel new type of steel fibres, the Dramix 5D, presents a double curvature at its ends, allowing a more efficient
Polypropylene anchorage in the cementitious matrix. The behaviour at high temperatures of concretes made with these
High temperatures 5D fibres has been compared with the one of concretes made with the Dramix 3D steel fibres. Therefore,
Compressive strength the impact of the high temperatures on the compressive strength and morphology of the high-strength
Thermal analyses fibre concretes made with the Dramix 3D and 5D steel fibres has been evaluated. The paper proposes also
models for the compressive strength at high temperatures of the studied high strength fibre concretes.
Ó 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.12.074
0950-0618/Ó 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
718 H. Caetano et al. / Construction and Building Materials 199 (2019) 717–736
Notation
absorption capacity, cracking control and toughness of the con- interlayer and chemically combined water of the C-S-H and sulfoa-
crete [4]. luminate hydrates would be lost, but under temperatures of
Barros et al. [10] concluded that the post-cracking residual around 900 °C, the complete decomposition of C-S-H occurs. Fur-
strength could be much higher in concrete reinforced with steel ther dehydration of the cement paste, due to decomposition of
fibres than in plain concrete with the same strength class, due to the calcium hydroxide, begins at about 500 °C [32–33].
the reinforcement mechanisms provided by the fibres on bridging Calcium hydroxide (CH) loses water between 400 and 500 °C,
the cracks. In consequence, the reinforcement of concrete with but if CO2 is available, above 400 °C, it may form calcium carbonate
steel fibres allows a high level of stress redistribution, providing (CaCO3). Also, the decomposition of the CH could be quickly
greater deformation capacity of a structure between the crack undone while it cools down to ambient temperature [30].
beginning to its failure, which increases structural safety. Some authors [34,35] studied the performance of concrete
Another problem associated with the high-strength concrete is structures exposed to fire to ascertain the effects of temperature
the spalling. This phenomenon occurs because of the low perme- on their microstructure and the properties of the aggregates. Ini-
ability and water-cement ratio of the concrete [8,11]. Eurocode 2 tially, the vaporisation of the free water between 100 and 140 °C,
[12] and some researchers [11,13–16] have suggested that spalling increasing the pore pressure of the cementitious matrix. At
can be minimised by adding polypropylene fibres to the high- 400 °C, the dehydration of calcium hydroxide and C-S-H gel begins,
strength concrete. which leads to shrinkage and reduction in the concrete’s strength
The sublimation (160–170 °C) and vaporization (350 °C) of the [36].
polypropylene fibres create new pores and microcracks in the con- Some of the temperature effects are due to chemical changes
crete matrix that may increase the permeability of the concrete and moisture transport within the cement paste, and another is
[4,17–19]. These phenomena reduce the damages and resistance due to damage (microcracks) resulting from temperature gradients
of the concrete subjected to the high temperatures of the fire and deformational incompatibilities between the aggregates and
[17]. Yermak et al. [4] also confirmed this positive effect of the cement paste.
cocktails of steel and polypropylene fibres by porosity and perme- According to Lim [33], the development of microcracks on the
ability tests. Thus, the simultaneous use of steel and polypropylene interface between dehydrated cement particles and cement paste
fibres reduces the brittle behaviour of the concrete depending matrix and changes in C-S-H microstructure are considered as
obviously on the content of fibres used [20]. main factors that cause the thermal degradation of the cement
In order, to prove the performance of the high-strength concrete paste. Different types of cracks may be found on the concrete after
reinforced with steel and polypropylene fibres, it is necessary more its exposition to high temperatures.
research because of several chemical and physical transformations According to Henry et al. [36] and Picandet et al. [37] in the first
of the paste and aggregates, which results in changes in the con- phase of the concrete’s heating (500 °C), the pores and the pre-
crete’s mechanical performance and durability [21–26]. Khoury existing microcracks close due to contraction of the concrete’s
[22] mentions that these changes depend from parameters such overall volume. However, in the second heating phase (>500 °C),
as the concrete’s composition, moisture content, load level, heating bridge cracks occur because of the different performance between
and cooling rates, time of exposure to elevated temperatures, time aggregates and mortar matrix.
after cooling and number of thermal cycles with heating and cool- Concrete is a heterogeneous material composed of aggregates
ing. Also, the RILEM TC 200 HTC [27] indicates the endogenous embedded in the cement paste matrix. The heterogeneity of the
parameters that most affect the compressive strength of the con- concrete’s constituents can result in severe thermal damages in
crete at high temperatures are the type of aggregate, rate of dehy- the interface, such as the cement paste-aggregate interface, due
dration and sealing of the specimens. to the different behaviour of the constituents at high temperatures
Well-hydrated Portland cement paste consists mainly of cal- [38]. Siliceous aggregates are predominantly quartz, which
cium silicate hydrate (C-S-H), calcium hydroxide (CH) and calcium changes from trigonal a-quartz to hexagonal b-quartz at 575 °C,
sulfoaluminate hydrate [28]. When cement paste is exposed to causing a volume increasing of approximately 6%, and is decom-
high temperatures, the hydrated products gradually lose water, posed at around 800 °C [38].
which generates in water steam and increases the pore pressure In the case of carbonate rocks, a similar disturbance can begin at
in the concrete [17]. 700 °C as a result of the decarbonisation. In addition to possible
This phenomenon starts at approximately 100 °C and continues phase transformations and thermal decomposition of the aggre-
up to 500 °C, which corresponds to the vaporisation temperature of gates, its mineralogy determines the response of the concrete at
the crystalline water in the concrete [29–31]. At about 300 °C, the high temperatures. For instance, it determines the differential
H. Caetano et al. / Construction and Building Materials 199 (2019) 717–736 719
thermal elongation between the aggregate and the cement paste, normal and high strength concretes. They concluded that for tem-
and the maximum strength of the interfacial transition zone [33]. peratures between 200 and 400 °C the heating rate is a major fac-
The nature of the aggregates is closely linked to the concrete’s tor for the decreasing on the weight loss, compression and tensile
thermal expansion and conductivity coefficients because while strengths of both types of concrete. In this range of temperatures,
siliceous concretes have a slight contraction when subjected to the modulus of elasticity is also very affected. For temperatures
temperatures between 300 and 900 °C, calcareous concrete has above 600 °C, the compressive strength is almost negligible in
an expansion which leads to the development of cracking. It hap- agreement with other similar experimental works. There is a
pens because of the higher degree of porosity and the coefficient strong need to establish constitutive relationships and damage
of thermal expansion of the calcareous aggregates. In this sense, microstructure for modelling the fire response of mix fibers (steel
the author states that the type of aggregate greatly affects the and polypropylene) high-strength concretes.
mechanical strength of the concrete at high temperatures and after The creation of theoretical and numerical models that accu-
fire. rately predict the mechanical behaviour of concrete at high tem-
According several authors [5–7], this behavioural difference peratures is very complex. The classical isotropic theory of
results from the dense microstructure of the high-strength con- nonlocal damage was adequately modified to take into account
crete (because of the low W/C ratio) that gives to the high- both the mechanical damage and the deterioration of thermo-
strength concrete a low permeability hindering the water vapour chemical material at high temperatures [41].
in the pores from being released when the temperature increases However, several theoretical models are currently available in
and with this making concrete more prone to spalling. the scientific literature to simulate the failure processes of concrete
However, in the temperature range of 400–800 °C both concrete
lose most of their original strength, especially at temperatures
above 600 °C due to the decomposition of the calcium silicate
hydrate gel (C-S-H) that is the responsible for the mechanical
strength of the cement. Above 800 °C, the loss of the original
strength for both concrete is almost complete.
The influence of the long-term loading on the compressive
strength and modulus of elasticity of the concrete at high temper-
atures was also studied by Jonaitis and Papinigis [39]. They con-
cluded that the decrease of the compressive strength is less
when the concrete is heated first and then subjected to a long-
term loading than when is heated after being subjected to a
preloading.
An experimental study conducted by Aidoud and Benouis [40]
analysed the effect of the high temperatures on the behaviour of Fig. 2. Slabs representative of each concrete composition.
Table 1
Density (kg/m3) of the materials used in the manufacture of concrete compositions.
Fig. 1. Fibres used in the concrete compositions: a) polypropylene; b) steel fibres 3D and b) steel fibres 5D.
Table 2
Concrete compositions (in kg/m3).
Fig. 3. Equipment used for: a) drilling the slabs; b) cut and c) rectify the top faces of the concrete specimens.
Fig. 5. Specimens for the thermal analyses tests. a) Cylindrical slice of concrete of 3 mm thickness and 70 mm diameter and b) piece of concrete impregnated with epoxy
resin.
H. Caetano et al. / Construction and Building Materials 199 (2019) 717–736 721
with 4–8 mm (LG3), quartz sand with 0–8 mm (S), limestone filler
(LF), polypropylene fibres (PF), steel fibres of Dramix 3D (SF3D),
steel fibres of Dramix 5D (SF5D), superplasticizer Sika ViscoCrete
3002 HE (SP) and water (W). Dramix is a trade mark of Bekaert,
Belgium. In Table 1 it is possible to observe the density of the
materials used in the manufacture of the concrete compositions.
The steel fibres Dramix 3D have 60 mm in length (l), 0.90 mm in
diameter (d), 65 length/diameter ratio (l/d), with 1160 MPa of ten-
sile strength and 210 GPa of modulus of elasticity. The steel fibres
Dramix 5D have 60 mm in length (l), 0.90 mm in diameter (d), 65
length/diameter ratio (l/d), with 2300 MPa of tensile strength and
210 GPa of modulus of elasticity [46,47]. The major diferences
between Dramix 3D and 5D steel fibres are that the 3D have a sin-
gle curvature at both ends and the 5D have a double curvature at
both ends. Fig. 1 shows all the used fibres.
In this research, five concrete compositions were studied
(Table 2). The compositions are referenced as RC, 3D_45, 3D_75,
5D_45 and 5D_75, where RC stands for the composition without
steel fibres, 3D_45 and 3D_75 for compositions with Dramix 3D
steel fibres with amounts of 45 and 75 kg/m3, and 5D_45 and
5D_75 for compositions with Dramix 5D steel fibres, also with
amounts of 45 and 75 kg/m3, respectively. All tested compositions
Fig. 6. Experimental test set-up for the compressive strength tests. had a dosage of 2 kg/m3 of polypropylene fibres and 0.36 of water
to cement ratio.
Fig. 7. Schematic experimental test set-up representation for the compressive strength tests.
722 H. Caetano et al. / Construction and Building Materials 199 (2019) 717–736
Fig. 8. Temperature evolution in the specimen as a function of time for the 300 °C test series.
Fig. 9. Temperature evolution in the specimen as a function of time for the 500 °C test series.
Fig. 10. Temperature evolution in the specimen as a function of time for the 700 °C test series.
H. Caetano et al. / Construction and Building Materials 199 (2019) 717–736 723
Table 3
Values of fcm,cube (in MPa).
compressive strength obtained during the compression tests at specimens were used (temperature increased from ambient to
ambient temperature (0.2 fcm). For each test series, 3 specimens 1000 °C), while in the SEM/EDS tests only one specimen of each
were tested, to obtain a better correlation of results. To evaluate composition was used and for each temperature level (ambient,
the development of the temperatures inside the specimens it was 200, 500, 800 °C).
carried out more 15 simple heating tests.
The thermal analysis tests were carried out at the Laboratory of
Pedro Nunes Institute, in Coimbra, Portugal. Twenty-two speci- 2.3. Specimens
mens were used in this experimental program of thermal analyses.
They were carried out XRD and TGA-DTA tests for the reference In this experimental work, the cylindrical specimens used in the
concrete composition and SEM/EDS tests for all the concrete com- compressive strength tests were obtained by core drilling of slabs
positions in study. For each type of test and concrete composition, representative of each concrete composition to obtain a better rep-
only one specimen was tested. For the TGA-DTA and XRD tests, 2 resentation of the material and to avoid interfering in the orienta-
tion of the steel fibres during the casting process (Fig. 2).
Afterwards, the specimens were cut and the top faces rectified in
Table 4 a way that they were parallel among them (Fig. 3).
Concrete classes. The specimens had a height of 210 mm and a diameter of
70 mm. The dimensions of these specimens were mainly limited
Concrete compositions fcm,cube (MPa) fck,cube (MPa) Resistance classes
by the size of the furnace’s internal chamber. However, although
RC 67 63 C50/60
they did not have a standard size, the specimen’s dimensions
3D_45 72 68 C55/67
3D_75 77 73 C55/67 respect the length/diameter ratio between 3 and 4 (slenderness)
5D_45 80 76 C60/75 and the specimen’s diameter is more than 4 times the size of bigger
5D_75 77 73 C55/67 aggregates, according to the RILEM recommendations [48].
Table 5
compressive strength of each concrete composition in function of the temperature.
Specimen fc, h (MPa) fcm, h (MPa) SD (MPa) Specimen fc, h (MPa) fcm, h (MPa) SD (MPa)
20 °C 300 °C
RC_3 79 79 0.47 RC_6 78 76 1.41
RC_5 78 RC_7 75
RC_10 79 RC_15 75
3D_45_1 86 84 2.05 3D_45_6 90 86 3.09
3D_45_2 81 3D_45_7 83
3D_45_17 84 3D_45_16 84
3D_75_2 82 84 1.25 3D_75_7 87 90 2.45
3D_75_3 85 3D_75_10 90
3D_75_17 84 3D_75_16 93
5D_45_1 80 83 2.05 5D_45_6 83 84 0.94
5D_45_3 83 5D_45_7 85
5D_45_16 85 5D_45_8 83
5D_75_1 93 93 1.25 5D_75_6 90 85 4.08
5D_75_3 92 5D_75_7 85
5D_75_5 95 5D_75_8 80
500 °C 700 °C
RC_11 45 44 0.47 RC_17 18 19 0.94
RC_12 44 RC_18 20
RC_13 45 RC_24 18
3D_45_11 51 50 1.70 3D_45_10 28 26 1.63
3D_45_12 52 3D_45_24 24
3D_45_13 48 3D_45_27 26
3D_75_11 54 51 2.45 3D_75_5 26 24 2.05
3D_75_12 51 3D_75_8 24
3D_75_13 48 3D_75_24 21
5D_45_11 51 51 2.05 5D_45_26 25 25 1.25
5D_45_12 53 5D_45_27 24
5D_45_13 48 5D_45_28 27
5D_75_11 55 53 1.63 5D_75_26 31 30 1.41
5D_75_13 51 5D_75_27 28
5D_75_21 53 5D_75_28 31
724 H. Caetano et al. / Construction and Building Materials 199 (2019) 717–736
Fig. 11. Mean ultimate load and standard deviation for the different concrete compositions and temperature series.
Fig. 12. An example of stress-strain curves selected from each concrete compositions and temperature series.
nated with epoxy resin to minimise any damage during the grind- universal testing machine controller (d), the furnace controller (e),
ing and polishing processes (Fig. 5b). These specimens were after a laptop computer (f) and a load cell (g). The pull rods of the
grounded with silicon carbide papers of decreasing grit size, and tensile-compression machine were made of refractory steel. Fig. 7
after dried they were sputtered with a gold alloy film. shows a schematic representation of the experimental test set-up.
The TGA-DTA and XRD tests used a Setaram (Setsys Evolution)
2.4. Experimental Set-ups analyser complemented with a Philips X’Pert diffractometer with
cobalt (ka1 = 1.78897 Å) radiation.
The compressive strength tests set-up (Fig. 6) consisted on a The SEM/EDS observations used a Field Emission Scanning Elec-
‘‘SERVOSIS” tensile-compression machine of 600 kN (a) capacity, a tron Microscope (FESEM) ZEISS MERLIN coupled with an OXFORD
cylindrical oven with 90 mm of diameter and 300 mm of height, energy dispersive spectrometer X-RAY. An EDWARDS EXC 120
internal dimensions, capable to reach the maximum temperature sputter coater was used on the coating process with gold alloy film
of 1200 °C (b), a Datalogger TDS-601 (c) to data acquisition, the of the polished surfaces of the concrete specimens.
Fig. 13. Relative compressive strength of the different concrete compositions as a function of the temperature.
Table 7
Tabulated relative compressive strength values for the proposed model of preloaded HSFC with calcareous aggregates.
h (°C) Results from the experimental data Results from the proposed model
RC composition (only PP fibres) 3D_45 and 5D_45 compositions 3D_75 and 5D_75 compositions
20 1 1 1 1
300 0.97 1.02 0.99 0.91
500 0.56 0.61 0.62 0.56
700 0.24 0.31 0.31 0.24
Fig. 14. Comparison between the proposed model for the prestressed compressive strength of HSFC with calcareous aggregates at high temperatures and test data from
others authors.
726 H. Caetano et al. / Construction and Building Materials 199 (2019) 717–736
Fig. 15. Comparison between the proposed model and models from another’s authors for the stressed compressive strength of HSFC with calcareous aggregates at high
temperatures.
Fig. 16. Comparison between the proposed model, tests data and models from others authors for the unstressed compressive strength of HSFC with calcareous aggregate
concrete at high temperatures.
Fig. 17. Comparison between the proposed model, tests data and models from others authors for the compressive strength of HSFC at high temperatures.
H. Caetano et al. / Construction and Building Materials 199 (2019) 717–736 727
Fig. 18. Mean ultimate load of each concrete composition in function of the content and geometry of the fibres for different temperatures.
Table 8
Specimens after test.
In Table 5, it is possible to observe the values of the compressive and 1%, respectively. However, for the RC and 5D_75 concrete com-
strength of each concrete composition in function of the testing positions, it was observed a decrease in the relative compressive
temperature and Fig. 11 it is the graphical representation of these strength of 3% and 9%, respectively.
values. For the 500 °C test series it was observed a decrease in the rel-
The values for the 3 tests carried out of each test series are pre- ative compressive strength for all concrete compositions. This hap-
sented. They are very close to each other meaning good represen- pens because at around 400 °C the calcium hydroxide starts
tativeness of the results. It is also possible to verify that at the dehydrating, being more steam generated, leading to a significant
ambient temperature and 300 °C the compressive strength is prac- reduction on the material strength. Thus, the ultimate strength
tically the same and with the increase of temperature (500 and was 56%, 60%, 61%, 61% and 57% of the value at ambient tempera-
700 °C) a marked decrease in the compressive strength is observed. ture, respectively for the RC, 3D_45, 3D_75, 5D_45 and 5D_75 con-
In Fig. 12 they have presented an example of stress-strain crete compositions.
curves selected from each concrete composition and temperature For the 700 °C test series, the values of the relative compressive
series. It is observed that at 20, 300 and 500 °C the curves tend strength decreased even more presenting a value of 24%, 31%, 29%,
to exhibit a semi-elastic behaviour of the material up to the break- 31% and 32%, respectively for the RC, 3D_45, 3D_75, 5D_45 and
ing point while at 700 °C, more properly for the RC compositions, 5D_75 concrete compositions. The reason for this further decreas-
3D_45 and 5D_75, the curves appear to have a semi-plastic beha- ing on the compressive strength with the temperature is due to the
viour at the moment before the material rupture. fact that at more or less 600 °C the aggregates undergo a sharp
thermal elongation (resulting in internal stresses which cause dis-
integration of the concrete). Due to the high gel decomposition of
3.2.2. Temperature influence the calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) that is the component respon-
In Table 6 it is possible to observe the mean values of the rela- sible for the mechanical strength of the cement.
tive compressive strength of the different concrete compositions
tested as a function of the temperature. Fig. 13 is the graphical rep-
resentation of these values. 3.2.3. Comparison of constitutive models
For the 300 °C test series there was a slight increase on the rel- A few experimental tests exists in the literature about the
ative compressive strength for some concrete compositions, in mechanical behaviour of high-strength fibre concretes at high
which the 3D_45, 3D_75 and 5D_45 had an increase of 2%, 8% temperatues, specialy with these 3D and 5D fibres. In this sense
Fig. 21. SEM images at ambient temperature (a) and after exposure to high temperatures: 200 °C (b); 500 °C (c) and 800 °C (d).
730 H. Caetano et al. / Construction and Building Materials 199 (2019) 717–736
Fig. 22. SEM images of concrete with the identification of portlandite (1) and C-S-H (2), and EDS spectrum analysis of the aggregates (1) and cementitious matrix (2) at
ambient temperature.
based on the compiled data, the paper proposes a new compressive Fig. 15 compares the proposed model with the models proposed
strength-temperature relationship for high-strength fibre by other authors as Phan and Carino (2003) [52], Aslani (2013) [50]
concretes (HSFC). Table 7 shows the values for the relative com- and Hertz (2005) (reported in [50]) for the stressed compressive
pressive strength of a HSFC with calcareous aggregates at ambient strength of HSFC with calcareous aggregates at high temperatures.
and high temperatures. Also, based on the results of this experi- Fig. 16 shows the comparison between the proposed model and
mental work, a constitutive model (Eq. (1)) is presented to predict the ones of Phan and Carino (2003) [52], EC 2 calcareous aggregate
the evolution of stressed compressive strength of the HSFC with concrete (2004) [12], Aslani and Bastami (2011) [54] and Xiao and
calcareous aggregates at high temperatures. Ezeliel (2013) [55] and the experimental data by Hager (2013) [32]
( for unstressed compressive strength of HSFC with calcareous
300 106 h þ 1 20 h < 300 aggregate concrete at elevated temperatures.
f cm ; h ¼ ð1Þ
1:67 103 h þ 1:4125 300 h < 700 Fig. 17 compares the proposed model with EC 2 [12], the exper-
The model proposed in Eq. (1) describes the variation of the rel- imental data by Kim et al. (2009) [56] and Santos et al. (2009) [57]
ative compressive strength of the concrete subjected at high tem- and with two different patterns proposed by Aslani and Samali
peratures and can be implemented in a finite element software for (2014) [3]. The proposed model presents a reasonable adjustment
the analysis of HSFC structures in fire conditions. The proposed for the experimental data and the models of the other authors.
model will be then compared with the experimental data collected
and the existing models proposed by others researches. In Fig. 14 it 3.2.4. Influence of the fibre geometry and content
is possible to observe the proposed model and the results obtained The influence of the temperature on the compressive strength is
by other authors for the compressive strength of HSFC with cal- essential for verifying the impact of the geometry and content of
careous aggregates at ambient and high temperatures; Abrams the steel fibres on the compressive strength at high temperatures
(1971) (reported in [50]), Castillo (1987) [51], Khoury and Algar of the concrete (Fig. 18).
(1999) (reported in [52]), Phan and Carino (2003) [52] and Kim In Fig. 18 it can be observed for all tested temperatures that the
et al. (2009) [53]. addition of steel fibers to the concrete contributed to increasing the
Up to 300 °C, the proposed model presents compressive compressive strength. At ambient temperature, it is found that for
strength values slightly higher than those of other authors, and the dosage of 45 kg/m3 the compressive strength presented by the
for this temperature range, this increase in the strength is not compositions with 3D and 5D steel fibers are very similar to each
problematic since the structural elements still present a great other. However, for the dosage of 75 kg/m3 the 5D steel fibers
range of resistance until their collapse. Between 300 and 700 °C, showed a higher compressive strength than the 3D steel fibers con-
the compressive strength values of the proposed model are slightly crete composition.
lower and therefore more conservative than the results obtained At 300 °C, it is seen that the addition of 45 and 75 kg/m3 of steel
by other authors. In this way, the safety of concrete structures is fibers to the concrete causes an enhancement on the compressive
not compromised. Under the preloaded condition, the specimens strength, as compared to the compressive strength presented by
could not sustain the preload beyond 700° C, the temperature at the composition without steel fibers. As far as 3D and 5D steel
which the specimens collapse. fibers are concerned, the compositions with 45 and 75 kg/m3 of
H. Caetano et al. / Construction and Building Materials 199 (2019) 717–736 731
3D steel fibers obtained better results of compressive strength as between the 25 and 200 °C (2.20%) and the broad endothermic
compared to the respective compositions with 5D steel fibers. peak are due to vaporisation of the free water and decomposition
At 500 °C it is found that for both the 45 and 75 kg/m3, the con- of the C-S-H [32,58].
crete compositions using the 5D steel fibers showed higher values The weight loss between the 200 and 400 °C was 1.21%. This
of compressive strength than the concrete compositions with 3D slight variation in weight may result from the continuous dehydra-
steel fibers. At 700 °C, it is observed that for the 45 kg/m3 content tion of the C–S–H [59–61]. According to several authors [62,63] the
of steel fibers, the compressive strength is practically the same for variation in weight between 200 and 400 °C is mainly due to the
the 3D and 5D steel fibers concretes. However, for the 75 kg/m3 loss of water as well as the first stage of dehydration and break-
content, the 5D steel fibers have slightly higher values of compres- down of the C–S–H.
sive strength when compared to the 3D fibers concrete. Between 400 and 500 °C, 0.79% weight loss was still observed.
This weight loss is associated with an endothermic peak as a result
3.2.5. Specimens after compressive tests of the decomposition of the portlandite (CaOH2) into free lime
In Table 8 are illustrated the specimens after compression tests (dihydroxylation) [60–66]. The portlandite content was 1.60%.
at different temperature levels. It is possible to observe the colour The endothermic peak at 573 °C can be observed and is due to
change in the test specimens due to their exposure to different the transformation of quartz-a into quartz-b, corresponding to
temperature levels and to observe that the fibres allowed to keep the transition phase a ? b. This transformation occurs with an
the two parts of the specimen together after reaching the maxi- expansion (microcracks on siliceous aggregates).
mum peak of compressive strength. Between 600 and 900 °C, there is the highest endothermic peak
linked with the highest weight loss as well as two phenomena: i)
3.3. TGA-DTA tests direct result of the decarbonisation of the CaCO3 (mainly from
the aggregates) and ii) formation of C2S [60]. The last endothermic
The TGA-DTA curves for the RC concrete is shown in Fig. 19. The peak at 850 °C was associated with the decomposition of the dolo-
different thermal events can be observed. Both the weight loss mite. The calcium carbonate content (calcite) was calculated by the
Fig. 23. SEM images of concrete with the identification of steel fibres (1), calcareous aggregate (2) and cementitious matrix (3) and EDS spectrum analysis, after exposure to
200 °C.
732 H. Caetano et al. / Construction and Building Materials 199 (2019) 717–736
Fig. 24. SEM images of concrete with the identification of steel fibres (1), calcareous aggregate (2) and cementitious matrix (3) and EDS spectrum analysis, after exposure to
500 °C.
TGA and is 62%. Dollimore et al. [67] stated that the portlandite’s 200 °C are the same, so it is possible to conclude that up to
dissociation starts at around 780 °C, causing a high variation of 200 °C there are no significant changes in the structure of the
mass at about this temperature. Subsequently, the breakdown of concrete.
the CaCO3 occurs near a temperature of 900 °C. The decomposition It is no longer the case for temperatures of 500 °C since only
of these two last compounds causes a drastic deterioration of the quartz and calcite can be found. These results confirm that port-
cementitious matrix and the aggregates. landite (CaOH2) decomposes before 500 °C, more precisely
between 400 and 450 °C, as reported by other authors [60–65].
3.4. XRD tests At 1000 °C, the results obtained by X-ray diffraction revealed
the presence of different crystalline phases such as quartz, cristo-
The XRD patterns obtained at ambient temperature and 200, balite, calcium oxide and larnite (Ca2SiO4).
500 and 1000 °C for the X-ray diffraction of the RC concrete are Larnite was obtained from the decomposition of the C-S-H, and
illustrated in Fig. 20. the calcium oxide was a direct result of the decarbonisation of the
The results obtained in the diffractogram at ambient tempera- CaCO3 [68]. Mineral cristobalite is a high-temperature polymorph
ture and of the sample heated up to 200 °C allowed identifying of silica. All XRD results agree with the TGA-DTA ones.
the presence of different crystalline phases, such as portlandite
(CaOH), calcite (C) and quartz (Q). The last phase is present in 3.5. SEM-EDS tests
the siliceous aggregate (sand). Although calcium silicate hydrate
(C-S-H) is a common product in the hydration of the Portland These tests allowed a quick visual determination of the groups
cement, it has an amorphous structure, which is why it is not of different chemical compositions constituting a complex
detected in the diffractogram. Also, the phases found at 20 and material, as well as the identification of microcracks, partial dete-
H. Caetano et al. / Construction and Building Materials 199 (2019) 717–736 733
Fig. 25. SEM images of concrete with the identification of steel fibres (1), calcareous aggregate (2), and cementitious matrix (3) and EDS spectrum analysis, after exposure to
800 °C.
rioration of the CH and C-S-H and formation of calcium oxide ambient temperature (a) and after exposure to high temperatures:
crystals. b) 200 °C; c) 500 °C and d) 800 °C (See Fig. 25).
Fig. 21 presents the SEM images obtained with scanning elec- Fig. 26 presents SEM images, with x30000 magnification, of
tronic microscopy at ambient and high temperatures with x100 specimens at ambient temperature (a) and after exposure to high
magnification. temperatures: b) 200 °C; c) 500 °C and d) 800 °C.
In the SEM images at ambient temperature and 200 °C (Fig. 21a, The SEM images (Fig. 26a) and b)) allowed to observe the pres-
b, 22 and 23), no visible cracking could be distinguished, and the ence of portlandite (CaOH2) and calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H),
surface of the concrete did not exhibit deterioration. and to verify that between 20 and 200 °C, from a microstructural
Between 500 and 800 °C, physicochemical changes in the point of view, there was not any sensible degradation of the con-
cement paste and aggregates occurred (Figs. 21c and 24). Sand crete. According to different authors, portlandite and C-S-H
quartz (SiO2) experiences allotropic transformations from quartz- remained intact until 300 °C. At 300 °C, the degradation of these
a to quartz-b accompanied by an expansion of nearly 0.8% in vol- solids started [70–73] in addition to the appearance of non-
ume at 573 °C. The calcareous aggregates become unstable at hydrated cement particles [73]. Between 450 and 550 °C, port-
600 °C due to transformation of the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) into landite starts decomposing into free lime (dihydroxylation)
calcium oxide (lime – CaO) and carbon dioxide (CO2), and between [11,18], and in Fig. 26 c) it is no longer possible to observe port-
600 and 900 °C, calcium carbonate (C–S–H) decomposes into cal- landite crystals. Wang [71], Kim [73] and Lim [72] pointed out that
cium oxide (lime - CaO) and forms b-C2S [69]. at 500 °C, the hexagonal portlandite crystals started to deform.
At 800 °C (Figs. 21d and 25) the cracks’ pattern was more pro- Between 500 and 800 °C, portlandite and the calcium silicate
nounced, and the cement matrix was strongly deteriorated. hydrate (C-S-H) were completely decomposed, producing voids
Figs. 21–24 present some micrographs of concrete specimens at and cracks, increasing the paste’s porosity. In Fig. 26 d) it is
734 H. Caetano et al. / Construction and Building Materials 199 (2019) 717–736
Fig. 26. SEM images of concrete with the identification of portlandite (1), C-S-H (2) and calcium oxide (3) at ambient temperature (a) and after exposure to high
temperatures: 200 °C (b); 500 °C (c) and 800 °C (d).
possible to see calcium oxide crystals which are a direct result of - In relation to the influence that the steel fibre contents on the
the decarbonisation of the CaCO3. compressive strength, except for the temperature of 700 °C
and for the 3D steel fibre concrete, all the results showed that
4. Conclusions and discussion the adoption of 75 kg/m3 of steel fibres equals or increases its
compressive strength when compared with the ones with
This paper presents the results of experimental work on the 45 kg/m3 or without steel fibres.
behaviour in compression at high temperatures of five high - In relation to the 5D steel fibre concretes and its influence on
strength fibre concrete compositions (ambient, 300, 500 and the compressive strength, it was concluded that at 45 kg/m3
700 °C). The main objective was to evaluate the influence of vari- the results of the compressive strength for the concretes with
ous parameters that may interfere on the compressive strength 5D steel fibres are equal or smaller than the results for the ones
of the concrete, such the temperature, the effect of adding steel with 3D steel fibres, except for the 500 °C. Regarding the con-
fibres as well as the steel fibres geometry and amount. In addition tent of 75 kg/m3, the results showed that there is a slight advan-
to compression tests, it was carried out complementary tests to tage in the adoption of 5D steel fibres compared to the 3D steel
analyse the temperature effect on the concrete microstructure fibres, except for the 500 °C.
transformation on testing and its implication in the compressive - The proposed model for preloaded HSFC with calcareous aggre-
strength at high temperatures. The following conclusions can be gates at ambient and high temperatures fit well with the exper-
drawn from the results of this research: imental results obtained and also show close agreement with
other existing models for HSFC.
- The furnace and test procedure adopted in the tests at high - The proposed model has two crucial temperature zones which
temperatures allowed proper distribution and thermal expo- reflect the practical design needs and main concrete behaviour
sure of the concrete specimens during the tests. changes in fire, and it becomes simple for both manual design
- As regards the influence of temperature on the variation of the calculations and finite element computational analysis.
compressive strength, it is verified that at 300 °C the compres- - The proposed model can be implemented in a finite element
sive strength tends to be the same as that presented at ambient software to perform the analysis of structural elements sub-
temperature with a variation of ±10%. However, at 500 and jected to high temperatures.
700 °C, a reduction in the value of the compressive strength is - Between 20 and 200 °C, it is not possible to microscopically
observed when compared to the values obtained at ambient identify any significant change in the concrete structure since
temperature between 39 and 44% and 68 and 76%, respectively. the crystalline phases identified in the XRD tests are the same.
H. Caetano et al. / Construction and Building Materials 199 (2019) 717–736 735
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