Behaviour of fiber reinforced concrete columns in fire

This paper presents the results of a research program on the behaviour of fiber reinforced concrete columns in fire. Several fire resistance tests on fiber concrete columns with restrained thermal elongation were carried out. The percentage of steel reinforcing bars on the testing columns varied in function of the percentage of steel fibers being always the total amount of steel (steel fibers + steel reinforcement) similar. The aim of this research was to study the possibility of replacing the longitudinal reinforcement bars on the concrete columns by steel fibers. Furthermore, polypropylene fibers were also used on the concrete in order to enhance the fire behaviour of the columns and avoid the concrete spalling. Polypropylene fibers under fire action will create a network of micro-channels for the escape of the water vapour.