Fire spalling in concrete - The moisture effect, part II

Abstract

A compressive strength reduction effect of almost 40% has been shown for small mortar specimens with a moisture content of 8% boiled in water for 3, 10 or 20 minutes compared with dried specimens. This shows that the presence of moisture can be a plausible factor that reduces the strength in areas where spalling in the form of surface flaking during fire exposure occurs. © Owned by the authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2013.