FIRE RESISTANCE OF FERROCEMENT COLUMNS

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the effect of fire on deteriortion of ferrocement encased concrete columns. Because of fire, a building may collapse or it may suffer some damage and can possibly be repaired. In the later case assessment of post fire strength is necessary. Ferrocment encased Concrete columns are used for prefabrication for repair, retrofitting and in-sitg costruction. The core of such columns is of concrete while the casing is of ferrocement. The mesh encasement increases the strength & ductility. The main thrust of this work is to study the post fire exposure behaviour of such columns. For this purpose 90 short column specimens of cylindrical and prismakic shape were cast with different cover thickness and quantities of mesh. These were tested after exposure to fires of 4 different durations. Measurement of strength, deformation and pulse velocity were taken. The study has succeeded in exhibiting the effect of quantity of mesh on the residual strength and ductility after fire exposure.