Fire Performance of Steel Profiles Covered with Self-Compacting Concrete

Abstract

This paper reports an investigation on the high-temperature effect on the composites manufactured with steel profiles embedded within the concrete for varying temperatures. A total of 24 experiments were performed in two groups and all specimens were manufactured with Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC). The effects of high temperature are investigated through rectangular prism type specimens, by using the concrete cover as 25, 50, and 75 mm. The testing temperatures were kept constant for each group (600 degrees C and 900 degrees C). The effects of varying exposure time (60 and 120 minutes) on the relevant steel standard Isection profile (IPE) profiles (IPE 120 and IPE 270) were experimentally investigated. Furthermore, the micro structure of the composite is observed by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) technique. The increase in the concrete cover in both groups increased the compressive strength. Increasing the concert cover allowance decreased the crack distribution and maximum crack width. However, concrete cover, high temperature and exposed time have a significantly effect on the yield strength and ultimate strength of IPE profiles.