The effect of elevated temperature on concrete materials - A literature review

A review is presented based on experimental studies on the performance concrete when exposed to higher temperature. The compiled test data revealed distinct difference in mechanical properties of normal, high strength and self compacting concrete. Shape of specimen (cube, cylinder, beam etc), size of specimen, magnitude of temperature load applied on the specimen, time duration maintained for heating, reference on time-temperature curve, rate of heating, rate of cooling, time taken for hot test after curing period, time taken for load test after heating, heat test on stressed/unstressed member, type of cooling adopted on heated specimen by natural cooling or cooling by spraying water etc are the parameters that influence the test results. To understand the behavior of concrete under elevated temperature, it is necessary that several factors be taken into account for each experiment. Strength of concrete, type of cement, type of aggregate, water cement ratio, density of concrete, percentage of reinforcement, cover to the reinforcement etc are some of the important factors that affect the performance of concrete at elevated temperature.