The Effect of High Temperature on Concrete with Waste Ceramic Aggregate

Abstract

Concrete is a non-combustible material, but the physical and chemical changes may occur with fire or high temperatures, and these changes cause a decrease in strength of the concrete. This study aimed to improve the residual strength of the concrete when it is exposed to high temperature. Therefore, crushed ceramic that is an industrial waste was used as coarse and fine aggregates in concrete. In this way, the usage of waste crushed ceramics will reduce environmental pollution and provide economy. Concrete specimens were produced with CEM I 42.5 R, crushed stone in the range of 0–4, 4–16, and 16–31.5 mm sizes and crushed ceramic 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 %. Concrete specimens were cured in standard condition until 28-day strength was achieved. To investigate the effect of high temperature on physical and mechanical properties of concrete, they were then exposed to 20, 100, 400, 700, and 900 °C for 3 h. A cooling regime was applied slowly to the air following the heating process. Unit weight, ultrasonic pulse velocity, dynamic modulus of elasticity, flexural, and compressive strength were determined after cooling the specimens to the room temperatures. This study has proved by 50 % that the crushed ceramics, as fine and coarse aggregates, could be used for concrete production exposed to high temperature. Important strength losses in concrete were observed, especially at 400 °C and higher temperatures. These strength losses were reduced for concrete produced with crushed ceramics aggregates.