Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) in case of fire

Abstract

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) has exceptional mechanical properties at room temperature. However, there are no standardized procedures to characterize UHPC in fire. This is due to the lack of research on the subject, leaving gaps for experimental and numerical studies. This study collects a series of parametric data of UHPC at high temperatures. Thermal diffusivity, thermal conductivity, thermal strain and specific heat as thermal parameters were defined for different temperature ranges. The results were compared with other structural concretes proposed in the literature (NSC, HSC and UHSC). The UHPC exhibited a particular fire behavior. Compared to NSC, HSC and UHSC, the thermal expansion and mechanical parameters of UHPC are less affected in fire, but its thermal conductivity and mass loss are higher. UHPC also has the highest specific heat compared to other concretes. The thermal field of UHPC tends to be higher compared to the other concretes.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2024.004-001