Mechanical and transport properties of concrete at high temperatures

Abstract

When concrete structures are subjected to fire loading, temperature-dependent degradation of the material properties as well as spalling of near-surface concrete layers has a considerable effect on the load-carrying capacity and, hence, the safety of these structures. Spalling is caused by interacting thermo-hydro-chemo-mechanical processes with both mechanical and transport properties playing an important role. Within experimental research activities at the IMWS, these properties are subject of investigation, i.e., (i) the strain behavior of concrete under combined thermal and mechanical loading and (ii) the permeability increase of temperature-loaded concrete and cement paste. © (2010) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.