About the event
Controlling the sensitivity of concrete to spalling during fire exposure is one of the major issues in the design and construction of concrete structures and infrastructure.
About the event
Real fire scenarios indicate that the fire-induced spalling of concrete could have serious consequences, and is a phenomenon that should be considered when designing for fire.
Recent achievements in concrete mix design have led to new types of concrete which, apart from an increased performance at ambient temperature, have also shown a different sensitivity towards fire spalling. However, the fire spalling of concrete is far from being fully understood and more research is needed to control its risk.
The 6th International Workshop on Concrete Spalling due to Fire Exposure concentrated on real-world experiences and observations, practical applications, experimental and numerical advances, as well as structural design. The aim of the workshop was to obtain an overview of the level of knowledge at the time and to stimulate discussion between researchers and representatives from industry, authorities and code-making bodies in order to promote further understanding.
Workshop topics covered recent achievements in experimental research and testing for determining key material properties and underlying processes and its contribution to understanding global spalling behaviour under various conditions.
Of further interest was actual advances in numerical modelling of spalling processes and structural design when spalling needs to be considered. Finally, the workshop was the platform for practical applications of projects to avoid spalling of concrete.
Venue
The Workshop took place in the University of Sheffield’s brand new, state-of-the-art engineering building, the Diamond.
Opened in September 2015, The Diamond is home to over 5,000 students from seven engineering departments and three interdisciplinary programmes within the Faculty of Engineering.
The six-storey Diamond boasts specialist teaching facilities including a range of lecture theatres, seminar rooms, open-plan learning spaces, library and IT services, and space for informal study including a café.
It won the Design through Innovation award in the 2016 Yorkshire and Humber Region Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) awards.
The Diamond
32 Leavygreave Road, Sheffield S3 7RD
Workshop topics
Influence of chemical, physical and mechanical processes on spalling of concrete.
Thermal behaviour and thermal stability of concrete ingredients at high temperatures.
Influence of heating on concrete properties.
Pore pressure development.
Transport mechanisms in heated concrete.
Stress-strain behaviour and fracture mechanics of heated concrete.
Spalling mechanisms.
Model selection and multiscale modelling.
Testing requirements and interpretation.
Constitutive material laws.
Structural design models taking into account spalling.
Influence of spalling on fire resistance and residual capacity.
Occurrence of spalling in natural fires.
Damage assessment and repair of heated concrete.
Measures to reduce or prevent spalling.
Case studies.
Pre-normative research and standardisation.