Citation

Kulkarni KS, Yaragal SC, Narayan KSB. Int. J. Forensic Eng. 2013; 1(3/4): 342.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Inderscience Publishers)

DOI

10.1504/IJFE.2013.053581

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

All structures are likely to be subjected to elevated temperatures during an event of fire. Due to accidental thermal loads the structures may be subjected to cracking and that affect both the mechanical or structural properties. Even though total collapse of structure is rare, the structures or a part of it may suffer partial damage. Thus structures need to be thoroughly assessed in order to know the extent of damage that has occurred. Assessment process determines the depth and extent of damage, loss in strength of concrete and steel reinforcement, distress to the structure from movement. Several non-destructive, partially destructive and laboratory tests are available for assessing the condition of fire damaged concrete structures and this obtained data can be used in subsequent analysis of their structural adequacy. This paper focuses on review of various techniques used for the damage assessment of reinforced concrete structures subjected to elevated temperatures.

KEYWORDS: fire damage; concrete structures; reinforced concrete; structural assessment; forensic engineering; nondestructive testing; NDT; thermal loads; cracking; structural damage; partial damage; strength; steel reinforcement; high temperatures.