Flexure response of thermal loaded concrete specimens by acoustic emission method

Abstract

The response to fire of concrete structural members depends on the thermal, mechanical, and deformation properties of concrete. These properties vary significantly with temperature depending on the composition and characteristics of the concrete batch mix as well as heating rate and other environmental conditions. The paper presents the effects of a high temperature on selected physical properties of concrete. The main aim of the article is the evaluation of monitoring concrete properties loaded in a few thermal steps up to 1200 °C. Therefore, the concrete specimens were heated in a programmable laboratory furnace at a heating rate of 5 °C/min. The specimens were loaded at six temperatures, 200 °C, 400 °C, 600 °C, 800 °C, 1000 °C, and 1200 °C maintained for 60 minutes. The acoustic emission activity and some material characteristics were evaluated in a three-point bending test.