Experimental evaluation of colored HSC column in fire conditions

In recent times it has been common to associate high-strength concrete with a greater susceptibility to explosive type spalling, when subjected to high temperatures. In part, this doubt is a result of some experimental programs that are carried out on small unreinforced concrete samples (specimens), which could substantially influence the structural concrete behavior in fire conditions. This paper presents an experimental program, carried out in Brazil on a high strength colored reinforced concrete column (HSCC), eight years-old, fc,8years = 140MPa, basalt coarse aggregate, cross section of 700mm x 700mm, tested under no load and with three faces exposed to standard fire curve ISO 834 for 180min (3h). The results demonstrated, in this case, that HSCC maintained integrity under experimental fire and that the iron oxide pigments can work as an excellent natural thermometer, contributing to the evaluation of the structure post-fire simulation.

Keywords: High-strength concrete; fire resistance; colored concrete; column in fire; iron oxide pigment.