Explosive spalling of concrete in fire: novel testing to mitigate design risk

Author: Ieuan Rickard, Luke Bisby and Susan Deeny

Date published

2 January 2018

Price

Standard: £10 + VAT
Members/Subscribers: Free

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Explosive spalling of concrete in fire: novel testing to mitigate design risk

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Author
Ieuan Rickard, Luke Bisby and Susan Deeny
Date published
2 January 2018
Price

Standard: £10 + VAT
Members/Subscribers: Free

The Structural Engineer
Author

Ieuan Rickard, Luke Bisby and Susan Deeny

Citation

The Structural Engineer, Volume 96, Issue 1, 2018, Page(s) 42-47

Date published

2 January 2018

Author

Ieuan Rickard, Luke Bisby and Susan Deeny

Citation

The Structural Engineer, Volume 96, Issue 1, 2018, Page(s) 42-47

Price

Standard: £10 + VAT
Members/Subscribers: Free

This paper summarises contemporary research on heat-induced concrete spalling, with particular emphasis on design for fire of concrete-lined tunnels.

Synopsis
Heat-induced explosive spalling in fire poses a credible risk to concrete structures, and has received considerable research attention in recent decades. However, no validated guidance to enable the design of concrete mixes to prevent spalling, nor any established, widely verified, repeatable test methods are yet available to confidently quantify or demonstrate spalling resistance for a particular mix in a given application. As a result, no models yet exist that can predict spalling with sufficient confidence to be used in design.

This paper summarises contemporary research on heat-induced concrete spalling, with particular emphasis on design for fire of concrete-lined tunnels. The topic is also relevant for modern concrete buildings. A novel, repeatable and economical testing method to reduce project risk by quantifying the propensity of concrete mixes for spalling under a range of different thermal and mechanical conditions is described. The intent of this paper is to present the limitations of knowledge to enable design for heat-induced spalling, and to highlight research currently under way to overcome some of the issues faced in practice.

Additional information

Format:
PDF
Pages:
42-47
Publisher:
The Institution of Structural Engineers

Tags

Concrete Fire Issue 1

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