Effect of temperature on thermal properties of different types of high-strength concrete

The knowledge of high temperature thermal properties is critical for evaluating the fire response of concrete structures. This paper presents the effect of temperature on the thermal properties of different types of high-strength concrete (HSC). Specific heat, thermal conductivity, and thermal expansion are measured for three concrete types, namely, HSC, self-consolidating concrete (SCC), and fly ash concrete (FAC), in the temperature range from 20-800°C. The effect of steel, polypropylene, and hybrid fibers on thermal properties of HSC and SCC is also investigated. Results from experiments show that SCC possesses higher thermal conductivity, specific heat, and thermal expansion than HSC and FAC in the 20-800°C temperature range. Data generated from tests is utilized to develop simplified relationships for expressing different thermal properties as a function of temperature. The proposed thermal property relationships can be used as input data for evaluating the response of concrete structures under fire conditions.