Influence of the cooling process and load level on the residual mechanical properties of ordinary concretes after fire

This paper presents the results of an experimental research on the assessment of the effect of the load level and cooling process on residual mechanical properties of ordinary concretes after fire. The concretes tested were made of granite or calcareous aggregates since they are the most used in civil construction in general. For each concrete was determined the residual compressive; direct and splitting tensile and flexural tensile strengths and modulus of elasticity. The influence of the loading level (0.3 and 0.7fcd), cooling process (cooling in the air and cooling by water jet) and temperature (20, 300, 500 and 700ºC) on the mentioned mechanical properties was determined. The high temperatures attained and the rapid cooling down process on the concrete showed a negative effect on its residual mechanical properties. The load level showed a favorable effect on the residual compressive strength of the concrete cooled slowly in the air but the opposite was observed in the case of sudden cooling down by water jet.