NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.

Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.

U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

PUBLICATIONS

Fire Performance of High Strength Concrete: Research Needs

Published

Author(s)

Long T. Phan, Nicholas J. Carino

Abstract

A compilation of fire test data which shows distinct behaviroal differences between HSC and NSC at elevated temperature is presented. The differences are most pronounced in the temperature range of 20 {degrees}C to 400 {degrees}C. What is more important is the observed explosive spalling of HSC speciments during fire tests. However, no explanations were found for why spalling did not occur in all HSC speciments. A comparison of test results with current code provisions on the effects of elevated temperatures on concrete strength shows that the CEN Eurocodes and the CEB provisions are unsafe for predicting mechanical properties of HSC. Aspects of analytical modeling for predicting the buildup of internal pressure during heating are also discussed. The paper condludes with recommended research needs, identified as a result of a workshop on fire performance of HSC, convened at NIST in February 1997.
Proceedings Title
Proceedings of the ASCE 2000 Structures Congress
Conference Dates
May 8-10, 2000
Conference Title
ASCE World Structural Engineering Conference
Pub Type
Conferences

Download Paper

Local Download

Keywords

building technology, compressive strength, concrete, elastic modulus, explosive spalling, fire tests, high-strength concrete, mechanical properties, standard test methods
Buildings and Construction and Fire

Citation

Phan, L. and Carino, N. (2000), Fire Performance of High Strength Concrete: Research Needs, Proceedings of the ASCE 2000 Structures Congress, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=860213 (Accessed October 13, 2025)

Issues

If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact [email protected].

Created May 1, 2000, Updated February 19, 2017
Was this page helpful?