Analysis of a Concrete Structure that Was Exposed to Fires in the Metropolitan Region of Recife

Abstract

Abstract:In large cities, news about fires in buildings are powered by problems such as old wiring and no maintenance. Accidents with chemicals and human error, which when added to the different characteristics of each fire and structures can generate the factors causing these disasters. The gradual rise in temperature causes a different effect in mortar and concrete parts, verifying the change in coloring provided to loss of mechanical strength and surface crumbling, cracking and disintegration of the structure itself. This paper presents a case study in which a building that is located in the metropolitan region of Recife was exposed to a fire situation. The metropolitan region of Recife is composed of several old buildings that by virtue of their age may have delayed construction methods, and may expose the fragility of the concrete used in its construction on a fire situation. The concrete structures are recognized by the good resistance to fire because of the thermal characteristics of the material, however, the temperature rise in the concrete elements in characteristic causes a reduction in strength and modulus of elasticity of the material, the loss in stiffness leading to polyphase degradation of reinforced concrete, structural parts can lead to ruin, but when properly sized and executed, the concrete can serve as a proactive agent to be exposed to high temperatures, as the same may be subjected to high temperatures accidentally or they may be part of their normal work.

Compressive Strength of Rapid Sulfoaluminate Cement Concrete Exposed to Elevated Temperatures

“…The samples were then placed into an electric furnace for exposure at different temperatures (i.e., 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 °C) with a heating rate of 4 °C•min -1 and an exposure time of 4 hrs. This exposure time was found to be adequate for the complete dehydration of Al(OH) 3 and other related dehydration reactions, as well as other thermally induced physical changes [16].…”