Effect of elevated temperatures and cooling regimes on normal strength concrete

The compressive strength of normal strength concrete at elevated temperatures up to 700 degrees C and the effect of cooling regimes were investigated and compared in this study. Thus, two different mixture groups with initial strengths of 20 and 35 MPa were produced by using river sand, normal aggregate and portland cement. Thirteen different temperature values were chosen from 50 to 700 degrees C. The specimens were heated for 3 h at each temperature. After heating, concretes were cooled to room temperature either in water rapidly or in laboratory conditions gradually. The residual strengths were determined by an axial compressive strength test. Strength and unit weight losses were compared with the initial values. Throughout this study, ASTM and Turkish Standards were used. It was observed that concrete properties deteriorated with the heat; however, a small increase in strength was observed from 50 to 100 degrees C. Strength loss was more significant on the specimens rapidly cooled in water. Both concrete mixtures lost a significant part of their initial strength when the temperature reached 700 degrees C. Copyright (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.