The influence of pore pressure on fracture behaviour of Normal-Strength and High-Performance Concretes at high temperature

Explosive spalling consists in the sudden separation of concrete layers or pieces from the surface exposed to fire, due to (a) stress caused by thermal gradients and external loads and (b) pore pressure rise induced by water vaporization. As regards the material properties, the phenomenon is affected by some meso- and micro-structural aspects mainly concerning the interaction during heating among cement paste, aggregate and fibre, thus influencing porosity and permeability variation at high temperature. Focusing on the effect of pore pressure in fracture behaviour of Normal-Strength and High-Performance Concretes, an experimental campaign has been planned, aimed at investigating the role played by the mix design. Nine concrete mixes have been studied considering three grades (fc ≥ 40, 60 and 90 MPa), three aggregate types (silico-calcareous, basalt and calcareous aggregates) and different fibre types and contents (monofilament or fibrillated polypropylene fibres). The experimental study, based on indirect tension tests performed under different levels of sustained pore pressure, clearly shows that the influence of pressure on concrete fracture response during heating strongly depends on mix design.