Citation

Chang WT, Wang CT, Huang CW, Yun-Seng G. Fire Safety J. 1994; 23(3): 223-243.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Concrete is the major building material for many structures. It is of primary importance that fire fighters or fire investigators have a full understanding of the properties of concrete so that better control of the fire scene is achieved. This, in turn, not only helps to ensure a safer fire-fighting job but also a more successful fire investigation.Very little attention has been paid in the literature to the effects of temperatures above 1000[deg]C on the structural properties of concrete. In this study, ordinary concrete samples made from the most common Type I portland cement as well as some uncommon glossy-looking concrete lumps collected from a real fire scene were examined by using thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM/EDX) with the aid of an unsealed furnace. The changes of crystallography, colour, appearance, shape, density, and elemental composition of the concrete with respect to temperature were carefully observed. The study yields a rationalization of the interesting lump-formation phenomenon.