Temperature profile analysis of masonry elements subjected to high temperatures

Abstract

The objective of this work is to obtain experimental curves of evolution of temperature with time for masonry elements exposed to a non-stationary temperature law. It has been designed an experimental device to subject the samples to a uniform non-stationary evolution of the temperature field. Through this testing device is possible to evaluate the structural and mechanical characteristics of the element and calculate the effective cross section of the masonry element which has been subjected to thermal action. Thus it is possible to know the last residual strength of the element by the simplified calculation method that Eurocode sets for masonry structures subjected to the action of fire.