DEPARTMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH
FIRE OFFICES' COMMITTEE: JOINT FIRE RESEARCH ORGANIZATION
The effect of temperature on the compressive strength
of concrete
by H. L. Malhotra, B.Sc. (Eng.)
SUMMARY
As part of an investigation on the effect of temperature
on the crushing strength of concrete, tests have been
carried out using 2 in. diameter by 4 in. long specimens
made with ordinary Portland cement, river sand and gravel
aggregate, having various mix proportions and water/cement
ratios.
The crushing strength of concrete at temperatures up to
600°C was independent of the water/cement ratio used but
was influenced by the aggregate/cement ratio. Concrete
specimens loaded to produce normal design compressive
stress during the period of heating showed less reduction in
strength than specimens without imposed load. There was
afurther loss in the compressive strength of the specimens
when cooled ajter heating to a given temperature.
Introduction
Elements of a building structure, which are not nor-
mally exposed to high temperature, are frequently re-
quired to fulfil their normal functions during a fire. The
fire-resistance of an element of a structure is determined
by a standard test(1)* on a representative specimen such
as a column, wall, floor or beam. One of the requirements
is that the structure shall resist collapse during the period
of the test and, in concrete structures, the strength-
temperature characteristics of the concrete will greatly
influence its resistance to collapse. Furthermore, the
strength of the concrete when cold after heating to
various temperatures is important in connexion with the
repair of a structure after a fire.
Brief survey of existing knowledge
Lea and Stradling(2. 3) studied the resistance of mater-
ials to fire anq the development of a fire-resistant concrete.
"The index numbers refer to the items in the list of references on page 94.
Experimental work was undertaken on 4 in. concrete
cubes made with ordinary Portland cement, heated to,
and maintained at various temperatures up to 700°C for
periods of 2 to 3 hours, the cubes being crushed when
cool enough to handle. No loss of strength was observed
up to 540°C, then a rapid drop in strength occurred and,
at 650°C, a reduction of 40% was measured.
In a second report, Lea (3) describes experiments with
4! in. diameter cylinders, made with Portland cement,
Leighton Buzzard sand and Water Orton gravel aggre-
gate. The experimental technique was identical with that
mentioned above. A slight drop of strength was observed
after heating to 300°C, followed by a more rapid reduc-
tion at higher temperatures. After heating to 550°C, only
50% of the original strength remained, whilst at 690°C
the strength was about 20% of the original value.
Griin and Beckman(4) performed some tests on mortar
blocks made with Portland cement and quartz sand and
observed a strength reduction of 18% at 300°C and 42%
at 500°C.
A few years ago some preliminary tests were made by
the Building Research Station(S) on small cylindrical
specimens to assist in analysing the results of fire tests
on concrete columns. The test specimens, which were
made with Portland cement, sand and gravel aggregate
in a mix of I : 2: 4 by volume, showed no significant loss
in strength up to a temperature of 300°C followed by
rapid deterioration at higher temperatures.
More recently the Japanese Building Research Institute
referred to the subject in one of their publications(6).
Tests were carried out on cylindrical specimens, 10 cm
diameter by 20 cm long. The specimens were plunged
into a muffle furnace at known temperatures, kept in the
furnace for about 3 hours, then removed and crushed
when cool enough to handle. The results showed 50%
85

reduction in strength after heating to 450°C and 72%
reduction after heating to 600°C.
None of the investigations so far mentioned dealt
systematically with such variables as types of aggregate,
mix ratios and water/cement ratios; no tests were made
while the specimens were at high temperatures, and the
scope of the work did not include the effect of stress on
the concrete specimens during the period of heating.
Scope of the present work
The primary aim of the investigation was to determine
the crushing strength of concrete at various temperatures
in the hot state taking into account the mix proportions,
water/cement ratio, and the type of aggregate. A number
of test requirements were imposed to simulate actual
conditions. Since the concrete in a structure is normally
in a stressed state, the effect of heating the specimen
whilst under stress was investigated. To provide data for
estimating the strength of concrete structures after a fire,
the effect of heating specimens and testing when cold
was determined.
This report deals with the specimens made from
ordinary Portland cement with fine and coarse flint
gravel aggregates, and covers the following concrete and
testing variables:
(I) three mix ratios;
(2) four water/cement ratios in the practical range;
(3) three testing conditions, namely:
(i) specimens heated to a given temperature and
tested in the hot state;
(ii) specimens heated to a given temperature under
a constant stress and tested in the hot state;
(iii) specimens heated at a given temperature,
allowed to cool gradually and tested to find
the residual strength after cooling.
The present paper describes work forming only a part
of a research programme of the Fire Research Station
where tests are in progress to study other variables such
as substitution of high alumina cement for ordinary
Portland cement and the effect of duration of heating.
The programme also includes concretes made with
crushed rocks.
Experimental technique
DESIGN OF THE EXPERIMENT
The size and shape of the specimens (2 in. diameter x
4 in. long) was selected after consideration of the method
of heating, apparatus required and the time involved in
carrying out the tests. The cylindrical shape was best for
uniform heating and the small section allowed a reason-
ably rapid rate of heating while keeping the temperature
differential across the section within reasonable limits.
With specimens of 2 in. diameter, the maximum size of
aggregate was restricted to i in. Two 4 in. cubes, cast and
cured with the specimens, were tested at 28 days to denote
the 'strength of concrete as normally measured.
In order to keep the inherent variations in the concrete
and the experimental errors to a minimum, strict control
86
Magazine of Concrete Research: August 1956
was exercised over the selection of materials, the manu-
facture and curing of specimens, and the technique of
heating and testing.
Preliminary experimental work was carried out to
standardize the method of manufacture, to decide upon
the number of replicates required at each temperature
and the range of temperatures to be explored. The
statistical analysis of the results obtained with two
batches of twelve specimens tested at normal temperature
indicated that three replicates would give a mean value
within 10% of the true mean with 90% confidence limits.
By heating the specimens to different temperatures and
crushing them, it appeared that only a small reduction in
strength (under 10%) occurred at temperatures up to
300°C. Approximately 50 and 75% reductions in strength
were obtained at temperatures of 500 and 600°C respec-
tively. From these tests it was decided that information
of the greatest use could be gained by testing the speci-
mens in the temperature range 200 to 600°C, generally
in steps of 100°C. Three replicates would be used for
every variable at each temperature.
For temperature measurements a fine chromel-alumel
wire thermocouple was located at the centre point of each
specimen.
MATERIALS
The following materials were used:
ordinary Portland cement from a batch in which a
large number of bags had been mixed in a mechanical
mixer to give a uniform blend;
river sand, washed and uncrushed, angular grains,
maximum size i. in.;
riyer gravel consisting mainly of flint, washed and un-
crushed, irregular shape, i to iIr in.
The aggregates used were dried and stored in steel bins.
Equal weights of coarse and fine aggregates were found
to give the grading curve shown in Figure I.
CASTING AND CURING
The recommendations in Part 6 of B.S. 1881 :1952
100
100
l!J 80
/
Z
'"'"
:. 60 L
il
40 ___ 4~
32/
0 /
o IldL
No. 100 No. 52 No. 25 No. 14 No.7 I in.
B.S. SIEVE NUMBER OR SIZE
Figure 1: Grading curve for i in. aggregate.
The effect of temperature on the compressive strength of concrete

Figure 2: Apparatus l or heating and crushing specimens (reproduced from" Fire Research
1954 ").

were followed for preparing the concrete mix. The
materials were proportioned by weight and a pan-type
mixer of I! ft' capacity used for mixing.
Twelve steel moulds eacb having a 26 S.w.g. chromel-
a lumel thermocouple held in position at the centre point by
means of a 0·010 in. steel wire, and two 4 in . cube moulds
were fixed on a 2 ft square vibrating table operating at
a fixed frequency and amplitude. The vibrating time to
give tbe best compaction was obtained by trial for each
mix. The moulds were gradually filled to witbin t in . of
the top, vibrating the whole time, and were capped a
few hours after casting with a cement: lime: sand mortar
to obtain a smoother top surface.
The specimens were demoulded 24 hours after casting
and marked with their identification numbers. The first
eight batches of specimens were stored directly after de-
moulding in a control room maintained at an average
temperature of 75 °F and at a relative humidity of
55-60% . The specimens of later batches for the rest of
the investigation were immersed in water for 7 days after
demoulding and were then transferred to the conditioning
room until required for testing. This modification in the

87
 Magazine of Concrete Research: August 1956

•
. -. ..
0 furnace
cover

-- rot-tf"''1-++-:~~- heat-resisting
steel unit
furnace - - - -
(top)

, 1fiI"'**"imB~u-~~~~+--- asbestos
millboard
spherical
:- deuil in
seatlh,--
_.J Fleur." tt-"'f=~d--- steel sheath

mild-st.. ,
frame "'---+---1h*A~I--- concrete
specimen
52 in.
dlalcau,.
Indicator - --
.--.e,+-- Insulation

"12 In. diameter

Pro"t'lnl rln, ~~-tt---- heating
element

~~~~~,"",11-~~~~~-- asbestos
millboard
hydraulic
iK'

• ~-fI;~~--¥-i4-- heat-reSisting
steel unit

•
0
-.- (bottom)

.....
b,1ck

1fl~~"'~~i1-------- asbestos
mill board
1--- _ _ _ _ _ _ 261 In. ___ -----------.......4
11/--------- spherical
seating

high-tensile
Figure 3: Section of the testing machine. steel ball

curing technique produced stronger concretes at any

given age.
The 4 in. cubes were cured with the specimens and were
generally tested at an age of 28 days.
HEATING AND TESTING
All the crushing tests were carried out on the testing
machine made for the purpose shown in Figures 2, 3
and 4.
The specimens were heated in an electric furnace
having a 3 in. diameter x 9 in. long steel-sheathed refrac-
tory tube in an insulated casing and mounted in the
testing machine. Two hollow heat-resisting steel units,
which held' the specimens in position in the furnace,
transmitted the load to the specimen enabling the crush-
ing load to be applied in the hot state. Asbestos mill board
pads were interposed between the faces of the specimen
and the steel units to act as insulators and to take up
any slight surface irregularities of the concrete specimen.
The load was applied by means of a hydraulic jack
connected to an oil pump and was measured by the dial
gauge within a 20 ton steel proving ring which was inter-
posed between the specimen and the jack.
The specimens to be tested hot, without restraint, were
heated to the required temperature, the furnace moved
Figure 4: Detail showing technique for testing specimem
in the hot state.
into the testing position above the proving ring and the
load applied till failure occurred. The furnace was then
cooled to a temperature of less than 100°C before
inserting the next specimen.
For the specimens tested hot under restraint, the
furnace was kept in the testing position and the load
applied to the specimen to produce the necessary constant
stress prior to the start of the heating. The imposed load
was kept constant during the heating period and, when
the specimen had attained the required temperature,
the load was increased until th€ specimen failed.
The specimens for the residual-strength tests were
heated in a separate furnace of similar dimensions. The
specimens were kept at the test temperature for one hour
and then allowed to cool gradually to room temperature.
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
The temperature at the centre of the specimen was
measured by a thermocouple incorporated in the speci-

88
The effect of temperature on the compressive strength of concrete

men during manufacture. A similar thermocouple posi- '00

tioned at mid-height in the tubular furnace indicated the

-.......
furnace temperature.
It was realized that undue damage such as spalling
might be caused if a large temperature differential existed
between the surface and the centre of the specimen during
heating. As it was undesirable to introduce variable~
or-

1'\ o.
such as spalling, its occurrence was avoided by con-
trolling the rate of heating; a maximum temperature of
100°C across the section of the specimen was found to
meet the requirements. Spalling is associated with large .,
z

.
Qr-

'\
\.
temperature gradients and its cause and nature form the ~
t;
subject of another investigation.
~ 50
It was observed in the preliminary tests that it took
from I to 2 hours for the centre of the specimen to gain
..
J:
o
z
the last 20°C temperature rise and attain the same

\
temperature as the furnace. By allowing a maximum <
...
" 4

difference of 20°C to exist between the centre and the ~

u
outside of the specimen at the time of testing, the heating ~ 1 or-
period was reduced to reasonable limits. The mean of
the two temperatures was taken as the average tempera-
.~
0
ture of the specimen.
In the beginning, the furnace temperature was con-
trolled by manual operation of a voltage regulator. Later .t-
on, an electronic controller was devised at the Fire
Research Station which automatically exercised the I 1 ~
approximations mentioned above. The controller, shown .00 100 JOO 400 500 '00 700

beside the testing machine in Figure 2, gave an audible

warning when the specimen was ready for testing.
A continuous record of temperatures was kept. The
average rate of heating was approximately 350°C per
hour.
Test results
Specimens of each type of concrete were prepared in
batches of twelve at various times. Three specimens from
each batch, selected at random, were crushed without
heating and the mean compressive strength taken as the
normal strength for the batch. Similarly, three replicates
at each temperature level, for each test condition, were
tested. The results of the tests have been expressed as
percentages of the normal strength and plotted against
the temperature. Smooth mean curves have been drawn
through the points.
In Table I are given the general manufacturing details
for each batch together with the cube strength, age at
testing and the test conditions.
GROUPS 1, 2 AND 3 One-third of the specimens were heated without res-
These specimens were used to determine the effect of
varying the water/cement ratio and the results are plotted
in Figures 5 and 6. It will be seen that the variation in
Figure 6 between the curves of different water/cement
ratios is less thm that experienced among the replicates
of the same batch of concrete as in Figure 5.
GROUP 4
Half the specimens in this group were allowed to cool
for 24 hours before crushing and showed (Figure 7) that
Figure 5: Temperature-strength relationship of unre-
strained specimens (group 1).
Mix proportions 1:3
Water/cement ratio 0·5
a further reduction in strength took place during the
cooling period.
GROUPS 5 AND 6
The specimens of I :4·5 mix were tested under the
three testing conditions given in Table I. The restrained
specimens were under a constant stress of 1,040 Ib/in 2
during the period of heating, this being the recommended
value for direct compressive stress for this type of con-
crete. according to British Standard Code of Practice
CP 114 (1948). When the specimens had attained the
testing temperature, the load was increased until failure
occurred.
traint, cooled slowly and stored in the laboratory for
two weeks before crushing. The test results for group 5
are plotted in Figure 8, and in Figure 9 mean curves for
both the groups have been drawn.
GROUP 7
The specimens were tested in a similar manner to the
previous two groups. The stress on the restrained speci-
mens was 836 Ib/in 2 and the results are plotted in Figure
10.

89
 Magazine of Concrete Research: August 1956

10 100

'0 90

10 80

70 70
....:z:
."
~
i;;
60 :z:
.... 60

~
..
J: .."z
~

i;;

...
0 50 ... so
z

".....
~ J:
0
Z 40
~ 40
U

:! ."
~

....
~ ]0
]0 U

:!
20

10 10

600
TEMIEIilATURE-"'C

Figure 6: Effect of water/cement ratio on temperature- Figure 7: Temperature-strength relationship for speci-
strength relationship (specimens crushed hot, mens of group 4 (no restraint).
no restraint). Mix proportions 1:3
Mix proportions 1:3 Water/cement ratio 0·40
Water/cement ratios: o crushed hot
- - - - - - - - 0·50 x residual strength
_. _. _. _. -' _. - 0·45
0·40
mens developed deep cracks which increased consider-
ably on cooling.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS
Colour changes in heated concrete were observed as
reported by other investigators (5) • The change of colour
to pink started at 250°C in the specimens for residual
strength and increased in intensity at higher temperatures.
By careful observation it was possible to distinguish
between the specimens having temperature differences of
about 100°C. With the specimens tested hot it was
noticed that the full colour change corresponding to the
test temperature had not occurred when the remains of
the specimen were removed from the furnace, and the
final colour was acquired during cooling. The condition
of hydration of iron oxide compounds stated to be
responsible for the colour change probably required a
certain time for completion and continued after the
specimens had been removed from the furnace.
The formation of surface hair-cracks was observed to
start at temperatures of approximately 300°C, the cracks
generally tending to be horizontal. At 500°C, the speci-
Discussion of results
GENERAL REMARKS
Concrete, unlike metals, is not a homogeneous material.
Structurally it may be said that the particles of coarse
aggregate are held together in a cement-sand mortar
matrix. Even when concrete is manufactured under strict
laboratory control, because of its very structure a certain
amount of variation in the test results is to be expected.
Nevertheless, the best curves were sufficiently distinct to
indicate significant differences between the various test
conditions and the results should provide a reliable guide
when evaluating the fire-resistance of concrete structures.
The chemical r~actions that take place when concrete
is manufactured are beyond the scope of this investigation,
but it will be necessary to refer to them in a general way.
Briefly, the hydration of Portland cement takes place
when mixed with water, one of the chief products of
hydration being calcium hydroxide. The amount of water
used normally in mixing concrete is more than necessary

90
The effect of temperature on the compressive strength of concrete

110

100 100'r------.-------.--------.

90
'0
cnlsh.cl hot,
unNlt .... ned

.0 .O~-----t_--~~~~-~==~~

....:J:
"z
w
70
....:J:
70

'"t;; "~
~

<
1:
60 e 60~-----+_~~~._~~~-~~-~
'"0Z ~
<
:J:

:>< 5 "
~ 50
.... w
~
U "<....
~ 40
u
~
"
L

JO

0
'\
\'
20 20~-----+_------+_-~~-~

\
10 10

600 600
TEHPEIlATUIlE--C

Figure 8: Temperature-strength relationship for speci- Figure 9: Temperature-strength relationship for 1:4·5
mens of group 5. concrete.
Mix proportions 1: 4·5 Water/cement ratios:
Water/cement ratio 0·50 _._._._._._.- 0·50
~ crushed hot, restrained - - - - - - - - 0·45
o crushed hot, unrestrained
x residual strength, unrestrained

for chemical reaction and the excess water usually dis-
perses itself in fine capillaries in the mass of concrete.
Certain chemical and physical changes take place when
concrete is heated. The uncombined moisture evaporates
and disappears at temperatures in excess of I ()(}OC and the
dehydration of calcium hydroxide occurs when the tem-
perature exceeds 400°C. A crystalline transformation of
quartz particles in the aggregate takes place at about
575°C accompanied by large expansion. The formation
of cracks in the mortar starts in the lower range of
temperature, and in the aggregate at comparatively high
temperatures. The loss in the strength of mortar with the
rise of temperature shows a similar trend to that found
for concrete (4) • For the temperature range explored in
the present investigation, the main factors affecting the
crushing strength are loss in the strength of mortar,
formation of cracks, and the dehydration of calcium
hydrate.
EFFECT OF WATER/CEMENT RATIO
The test results (Figures 6 and 9) show that the propor-
tional strength reduction in concrete specimens when
heated to 6()(}OC is independent of the water/cement ratio
in the range 0·375 to 0·65 used in the manufacture of the
concrete. In practice, the quantity of water used is larger
than necessary for the complete hydration of cement in
order to get the required workability of the concrete mix;
the uncombined water permeates the mass by capillary
channels and pores. After curing, the quantity of free or
uncombined water is determined by the prevailing condi-
tions of relative humidity and temperature. When con-
crete is heated, the uncombined water, the quantity of

91
 Magazine of Concrete Research: August 1956

100
• 100

r--.~

~\
0- '0
• • 0

K\.
0 80
I \
%
....
70 f- ....
I " ',,~ 0
70 -

'. \
\
"~ I "-
.\
"~ ....J:
..
<
J:
60
\ 0
"~
60

"~
"oz Of- ,":\\11 ..
<
:>< \1 J:
'"z
....
~ 40 \ 0

".
'0
V
\
~ \ ....
~
30 r- \\1 V
~
30
1\.\, ~
1+5

10 10

\1,'·5

10 r- 10

I
100 200 )00 400 500 600 600
TEMPEkATURE-OC TEMPERATURE-"'C

Figure 10: Temperature-strength relationship for speci- Figure 11: Effect of testing conditions on different con-
mens in group 7. crete mixes.
Mix proportions 1 :6 _. _. _. _. _. _. - crushed hot, restrained
Water/cement ratio 0·65 crushed hot, unrestrained
6. crushed hot, restrained - - - - - - - - residual strength,
o crushed hot, unrestrained unrestrained
x residual strength, unrestrained

which depends upon the water/cement ratio used and It appears therefore that, although the leaner mixes
curing conditions, disappears at temperatures in excess have a lower intrinsic strength than richer mixes, they
of 100°C and has therefore no further influence on the undergo a smaller proportional reduction in strength
test results. when heated to any given temperature.
EFFECT OF MIX RATIO EFFECT OF TESTING CONDITIONS
It appears from the test results that in specimens tested In Figure 11 are drawn the curves for the three different
hot the reduction in strength is small up to 200°C. The testing conditions imposed upon the specimens for the
unrestrained specimens showed a reduction of 10 to 15% I: 4·5 and 1: 6 mixes. In each case, the testing conditions
at 300°C and then the rate of fall of strength increased have a significant effect upon the test results.
to a maximum as the temperature exceeded 400°C, when The specimens which are under a constant stress during
the dehydration of calcium hydrate may be taking place. the period of heating exhibit a smaller reduction in
Fifty per cent reduction in strength occurred at about strength than the specimens under no stress; the difference
450°C for 1: 3 and 1: 4·5 mix specimens and at 510°C for of about 4% at 200°C increased to 21 % at 500°C. As a
1 : 6 mix specimens: the leaner mixes appeared to be tentative explanation it is suggested that imposition of a
proportionally stronger at the same temperature levels. compressive stress would retard the development of the
A similar trend can be observed from the test results cracks in the specimen, which would be free to extend
for the specimens under restraint tested in the hot state in an unstressed specimen.
and from residual strength tests for the different mix For this reason the spontaneous failure of concrete
ratios. under a constant stress during the period of heating

92
 The effect of temperature on the compressive strength of concrete

TABLE 1: Details of specimens and test conditions.

Cube strength
Aggregate/ Water/ Vibration (mean of Age of
Group Batch Curing Test
cement cement time 2 tests) specimens
No. No. conditions conditions
ratio ratio (min) (lb/in') at test
* (weeks)
1 3,660 (6w) 6
1 2 3 0'50 13 4,000 (8w) 8 a
3 3,575 (lOw) 10
Control
1 room - 6!
2 2 3 0·45 15 24 hr after - 7 a
3 casting - 10

1 6,570 (8w) 8
3 3 0-40 20 a
2 7,005 (8!w) 8!

1 7,700 (3Id) 12!

4 2 3 0-40 ~O 7,900 (28d) 13 a and b
3 8,555 (45d) 14

1 4,187 (35d) 29!

2 5,790 (33d) 29!
5 3 4·5 0'50 15 5,920 (28d) 28! a, band c
4 Immersed 5,740 (33d) 28!
5 in water 5,810 (28d) 28
for 7 days,
1 then in 6,720 (28d) 15
2 control 6,850 (28d) 15
6 4·5 0·45 20 a, band c
3 room 6,720 (28d) 15
4 6,860 (28d) 16

1 3,690 (28d) 31
2 3,730 (28d) 30
7 3 6 0·65 12 4,475 (33d) 28 a, band c
4 4,470 (28d) 27!
5 4,225 (30d) 27

* .. w" stands for weeks and" d " stands for days. a High-temperature strength (unrestrained).
b Residual strength.
c High-temperature strength (restrained).

would occur at a temperature slightly higher than that
at which the unrestrained concrete strength is equivalent
to the imposed stress.
The test results of the residual strength after heating
on the other hand show that, compared with tests at
high temperatures, there is a further loss of strength
during cooling. In the temperature range 200 to 450°C,
the residual strength when cold is approximately 20%
lower than that in the hot state. It may again be that there
is an increase of structural damage, i.e. due to cracks
etc., when a specimen cools.
EFFECT OF AGE OF SPECIMENS
The age-strength relationship of concrete has been
investigated in the past and considerable information is
available on the subject. In the case of ordinary Portland
cement concrete, if the strength at the age of one year
is assumed to be 100, the respective values at the ages
of 28 days and 90 days are approximately 70 and 90.
Thus, at ages exceeding three months, there is com-
paratively small gain in strength.
Although no specific tests were carried out to explore
the effect of age, some deduction can be made from a
study of the test results. The specimens in groups 5 and
6, of the same mix of concrete, were tested at the average
ages of 15 and 29 weeks respectively. The difference in
the ages of the specimens appears to have had no in-
fluence on the test results. It can therefore be assumed

93

that, if the specimens are tested at ages of three months
or more; there will be no significant effect due to age on
the test results.
Conclusions
The following conclusions can be drawn from the test
results on the specimens manufactured from the types of
concrete described in this report and in the temperature
range explored.
(I) The effect of temperature on the crushing strength
of concrete is independent of the water/cement ratio
within the range normally used in its manufacture.
(2) The aggregate/cement ratio has a significant effect
on the strength of concrete exposed to high temperature,
the proportional reduction being smaller for lean mixes
than for rich mixes.
(3) Concrete under a compressive stress of the order
of its design stress has a smaller proportional decrease
in strength than if the stress were absent.
(4) The residual strength of heated concrete shows still
further reduction in strength on cooling, being approx-
imately 20% less than the corresponding hot strength in
the ,temperature range 200 to 450°C for I: 4'5 and 1: 6
mix concretes.
ACKNO WLEDGMENT
The work described in this paper forms part of the
programme of the Joint Fire Research Organization of the
Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and Fire
Offices' Committee; the paper is published by permission
of the Director of Fire Research.
The author wishes to acknowledge the assistance he ob-
tained in the investigationfrom the earlier work of Webster
and Burn of the Building Research Station in this field.
The author is indebted to Mr L. A. Ashtonfor his guidance
94
Magazine of Concrete Research: August 1956
during the investigation and to Mr J. H. McGuire for the
design and construction of the temperature controller.
REFERENCES
(1) British Standards Institution. Fire tests on building
materials and structures. London. pp. 26. B.S. 476:
1953.
(2) LEA, F. c. and STRADLING, R. E. The resistance to fire
of concrete and reinforced concrete. Engineering.
Vol. 114. No. 2959. 15th September 1922. pp.
341-344. No. 2960. 22nd September 1922. pp.
380-382.
(3) LEA, F. c. The effect of temperature on some of the
properties of materials. Engineering. Vol. 110, No.
285.2. 27th August 1920. pp. 293-298.
(4) GRUN, R. and BECKMAN, H. The behaviour of cement,
aggregates and concrete at high temperatures. Cement
and Cement Manufacture. Vol. 3, No.3. March 1930.
pp. 430-442.
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Contributions discussing the above paper should be in the
hands of the Editor not later than 31st December 1956.