Effect of elevated temperature on the mechanical properties of high-volume GGBS concrete

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical properties of fire-damaged concrete containing a high volume of ground granulated blastfurnace slag (GGBS). Concrete specimens were cooled by water spraying, as is usual for extinguishing a real fire. In this research, GGBS was used at 0%, 50%, 60% and 70% replacement by weight of cement. The high-volume GGBS concrete specimens were subjected to seven different elevated temperatures from 20°C to 700°C. After being water-cooled to room temperature, the compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of the concrete specimens were determined. Additionally, the loss in mass of fire-damaged concrete was also assessed. The test results show that the effect of temperature on mass loss of concrete with a high volume of GGBS was less than 10% for temperatures below 700°C. After being exposed to elevated temperatures, the relative compressive strength of high-volume GGBS concrete decreased more significantly than that of ordinary Po...