Durability of sustainable concrete subjected to elevated temperature – A review

Fire poses serious threat to the life of structure and occupants, as it induces detrimental effects at structural level both short term and long term. Keeping in view the importance of fire performance of concrete, various researchers have evaluated the behavioral characteristics of concrete under such conditions. The safety and serviceable life of concrete structures after exposure to fire depend on two important factors i.e. residual strength and durability. In this paper, a comprehensive and updated review on the durability of concrete containing various mineral admixtures after being exposed to elevated temperatures is presented. Durability of concrete after fire exposure is measured through indirect tests such as chloride ion permeability, water permeability, absorption and sorptivity. Thus the test methods and available literature on the aforementioned techniques has been elaborately reviewed and summarized. The recent trends followed to improve the durability performance of concrete in the post-fire conditions have also been discussed and future research needs have been identified. However, to properly understand the durability performance of fire exposed concrete structures constructed with sustainable concretes, a great deal of work is required in this particular domain.