Impact of the fire on the bearing capacity of the ordinary concrete used in reinforced concrete structures in Burundi. History and architecture

Introduction. This paper presents the results of an assessment of the impact of fire on the bearing capacity of the ordinary concrete, to be taken into account in the rehabilitation of fire-damaged reinforced concrete structures in Burundi. Materials and methods. Experimental samples of the ordinary concrete made respectively of coarse river aggregates and crushed coarse quarry aggregates were prepared and subjected to different heating temperatures (250, 350, 450, 600 and 900 °C) simulating the fire. After natural cooling, experimental samples were subjected to compression test; and diagrams showing the loss of the load-bearing capacity of the ordinary concrete used in reinforced concrete structures in Burundi were drawn. Results. Negative impact of the fire on the load-bearing capacity of the ordinary concrete occurs above of 350 °C of heating temperature. Concrete made of crushed coarse quarry aggregates loses 50 and 78 % of its bearing capacity at around 525 and 900 °C of heating temperature, respectively. Similarly, concrete made of coarse river aggregates loses 50 and 70 % of its load-bearing capacity respectively at 600 and 900 °C of heating temperature. An evaluation curve of the after-fire bea­ring capacity of the concrete used in reinforced concrete structures in Burundi is established. Conclusions. The negative impact of the fire on the load-bearing capacity of the ordinary concrete occurs above of 350 °C of heating temperature. Concretes made of crushed coarse quarry aggregates and concrete made of coarse river aggregates lose 50 % of its bearing capacity at around 525 and 600 °C of heating temperature respectively. Knowing the heating temperature that the fire-damaged reinforced concrete structure has undergone is indispensable in deciding on its demolition or rehabilitation.