Cross‐comparison of screening tests for fire spalling of concrete. (15th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mohaine, Siyimane; Boström, Lars; Lion, Maxime; McNamee, Robert; Robert, Fabienne
• Other Names: Adam Gales John guestEditor.; McNamee Robert guestEditor.; Janssens Marc guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Fire and materials. Volume 45:Number 7(2021)
• Page Start: 929
• Page End: 942
• Publication Date: 2021-02-15
• Subjects: concrete -- fire testing -- full‐scale tests -- screening tests -- spalling; Fire-testing -- Periodicals; Fire -- Periodicals; Materials -- Periodicals; 620.11217
• DOI: 10.1002/fam.2946
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-0501

Abstract

Summary: Concrete spalling is an important phenomenon to consider when evaluating the fire behavior of concrete, as this can sometimes have an impact on the structural capacity of the studied element. Spalling can be assessed experimentally using screening tests although it is influenced by the size, geometry, and boundary conditions of the tested element, among other factors. No standardized and systematic methods are yet available to assess concrete spalling sensitivity by testing. Plus, comparative results between screenings tests (small and medium scale) and full‐scale tests to evaluate their representativity remain scarce in the literature. In this study, five different spalling tests—with different geometries and boundary conditions—that are used as screening tests were investigated. A concrete mix known to be sensitive to spalling was used to evaluate the representativity of two types of screening tests (material screening tests and intermediate‐scale screening tests). The representativity of these test setups was evaluated by comparing the measured spalling depths to the spalling measured on a full‐scale slab test using the same concrete mix. This comparative study confirmed that the presence of load and/or restraint was essential for a good representativity for a screening test but should always be implemented in large enough specimens.