Forensic engineering of fire-damaged concrete structures

There has never been a greater need for concrete buildings, tunnels and other infrastructure to be assessed for damage following fires. Fortunately, even after a severe fire, concrete structures are often capable of being repaired rather than demolished. This provides substantial savings in capital expenditure and also savings in consequential losses, by permitting earlier reoccupation.

An assessment of fire damage by competent persons is required before any repairs can be specified. This paper describes the role of structural and materials engineers in the successful fire damage assessment of concrete structures. Practical guidance is provided for conducting the assessment, design and repair of fire-damaged concrete structures in accordance with the recently published Concrete Society Technical Report No. 68. Forensic engineering procedures described include on-site inspection and testing techniques, laboratory testing, structural fire analysis and concrete repair methods. This paper draws on a wide range of actual fire damage investigations undertaken by the author and a case study example has been included.

• Abstract

• Introduction

• The effect of fire on concrete structures

• Assessment of fire-damaged concrete structures

• Design and implementation of repairs

• Case study of a fire-damaged concrete structures

• Conclusions

• References