Improving concrete performance in fires

Fire is a major hazard in concrete tunnels. During a fire, the heat creates trapped water vapour in the high-density concrete. The resulting pressure build-up causes cracking and the collapse of the concrete lining through explosive spalling. The confined space inside a tunnel generates temperatures up to 1100 C during the first five minutes of a fire and spalling occurs in the first 20-30 minutes. Anglo-Danish Fibre Industries Ltd (ADFIL) of the UK promotes the use of polypropylene fibres in construction projects. The fibres have been shown to increase the permeability of heated concrete and prevent explosive spalling. The IGNIS fibre has been developed to melt in the concrete at just 160 C. The fine quality of the fibres leads to the generation of a high number of channels and voids for moisture and vapour to escape in the event of a fire. ADFIL has been awarded a grant from the Department of Trade and Industry through the Eureka initiative to develop IGNIS for use in vertical structures. One aim is to develop a software package that will enable civil engineers to design fire-resistant concrete for use in bridges, tunnels and high-rise buildings.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00105317
• Authors:
  • KITCHEN, A
• Publication Date: 2004-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p40
• Serial:
  • CONCRETE
  • Volume: 38
  • Issue Number: 8
  • Publisher: THE CONCRETE SOCIETY
  • ISSN: 0010-5317

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Concrete; Fibers; Fire; Hazards; Mixtures; Permeability; Polymers; Presplitting; Prevention; Research projects; Safety; Spalling; Tunnels
• ITRD Terms: 5188: Blasting; 4755: Concrete; 4557: Fibre; 1624: Fire; 9047: Mixture; 5921: Permeability; 7482: Polymer; 9149: Prevention; 8557: Research project; 9150: Risk; 1665: Safety; 5231: Spalling; 3374: Tunnel
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Materials; Research; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; I25: Design of Tunnels; I32: Concrete; I54: Construction of Tunnels;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01011839
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Dec 20 2005 11:25AM