Fire resistance is becoming increasingly important along with the development of new concrete types with high strength and dense structure with reduced porosity. Such concrete types are susceptible to fire spalling and extensive crack formation. At the moment, there are a limited number of methods for enhancement of fire resistance of existing structures, which could be applied in underground structures with restricted space and limited air exchange, such as tunnels, underground garages or nuclear powerplants.
This work is focused on the development of two methods, and both are dealing with porous structure modification. The first method is intentional heat treatment (IHT) method, suitable for the enhancement of fire resistance of existing structures. The second method emphasized the design of air-entrained concrete (AeA-FiResCrete) with the use of “new generation” air-entraining agents suitable for enhancement of fire resistance of newly designed concrete. Testing of compressive strength, porous structure modification was completed by the analysis of “moisture clog,” which contributes to explosive spalling and extensive cracking. The efficiency of developing methods was verified during large-scale testing according to modified ISO834 (m-ISO) curve.
No extensive crack formation or explosive spalling was observed during the exposure period during the large-scale testing of slabs with the applied IHT method. The total thickness of the IHT method with configuration IHT200/2, composed of IHT zone and IHT transition zone, penetrated to the depth of 25,5 to 43,0 mm depending upon various concrete types. Moisture clog in AeA-FiResCrete was more significant than in the case of slabs with applied IHT method, and it could be concluded that the IHT method enhances fire resistance of concrete exposed to elevated temperatures without influencing its compressive strength and durability. Results from AeA-FiResCrete testing showed only a slight improvement of its fire resistance.