Behaviour of GRE composite pipes after fire exposure under dry and wet internal conditioning

Abstract

This paper presents the behaviour of GRE composite pipe after fire exposure under dry and wet internal conditioning. Numerous studies has been conducted in the past, however there is lack of research in the residual strength, and the damage mechanisms of the pipe due to fire exposure. Therefore, this will be the focus of the research study. The specimens were exposed to fire for a period of 10s to 90s under dry and wet internal conditioning, followed by undergoing a monotonic burst test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The results show that the residual strength in terms of axial stress decreases with an increase in fire exposure time. Water is found to absorb thermal energy from the fire source, hence reducing the rate of matrix breakdown and char formation of the pipe under the wet internal conditioning.