Investigating the structural performance of high-strength concrete columns under elevated temperatures: the role of BFEGC as an insulating and strengthening system
Source abstract
Abstract
Abstract The integrity of high strength reinforced concrete (HSRC) columns is highly affected under elevated temperatures, necessitating effective strengthening techniques. This work concentrates on the performance of basalt fiber sheets and basalt fiber-based engineered cementitious composites (BFEGC) in enhancing the resilience of square HSRC columns exposed to high temperatures – cooling. Specimens were categorized into three goups: control columns (CC), columns wrapped prior to fire exposure (WBF) as insulation, and columns wrapped post-fire exposure (WAF) as a strengthening. The temperature profile followed the cellulose ISO834 fire curve for three different intensities and durations: medium (300 °C – 30 min), high (600 °C – 20 min), and very high (900 °C – 15 min). The effectiveness of both WBF and WAF was assessed, under two distinct cooling regimes: gradual cooling (GC) and rapid cooling (RC). As rapid cooling was followed in this work, the exposure time at each temperature level was carefully regulated to avoid the specimens failing completely. Columns were tested to axial load up to failure. A comprehensive thermal-structural analysis was conducted numerically with ANSYS Workbench 2023. Results from the parametric analysis indicate that the wrapping system functioned effectively as an insulator up to 600 °C, regardless of the cooling pattern employed. Improvements were recorded in parameters such as ultimate load, confinement coefficient, strength index, energy ductility, and displacement ductility. Conversely, the strengthening application was effective only for columns that experienced sudden cooling, maintaining structural integrity up to 600 °C. Additionally, implementing an effective repair technique prior to wrapping would enhance the overall capacity of columns under varying intensities, duration, and cooling regimes. Basalt fiber sheet-based reinforced engineered cementitious composites can be utilized as an insulation system for HSC – columns, irrespective of intensities of fire and gradual cooling regime. The same could be adopted as a strengthening system for HSC – columns up to high intensity of temperature under rapid cooling condition.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Fire effects on concrete materials · Structural Load-Bearing Analysis · Structural Behavior of Reinforced Concrete
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Proposal Designer, Concept Dash , Toronto ON M5J 0B1 , Canada
School of Civil Engineering, SASTRA Deemed to Be University , Thanjavur , 613004 , India
College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East , Egaila , 54200 , Kuwait
Funding
SASTRA Deemed University Intramural research funding
References (63)
Show source-provided references
1. Kanagaraj, B, Anand, N, Jerry, R, Raj, RS, Lubloy, E. Axial compressive behaviour and physical characteristics of high strength self-compacting geopolymer concrete columns exposed to elevated temperature. Constr Build Mater 2023;401:132866. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132866.10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132866 ↗
2. Ruba, P, Aarthi, S, Bhuvaneshwari, P. Prediction of ultimate strength for high strength concrete using machine learning approaches optimized by PSO technique. Discov Comput 2025;28:17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10791-025-09517-1.10.1007/s10791-025-09517-1 ↗
3. Palanivelu, R, Panchanatham, B. Study on the mechanical properties of retrofitted concrete damaged under fire and rapid cooling. J Struct Des Constr Pract 2025;30:04024105. https://doi.org/10.1061/jsdccc.sceng-1520.10.1061/JSDCCC.SCENG-1520 ↗
4. Abdulrahman, ASA, Abdul Kadir, MR. Behavior and flexural strength of fire-damaged high-strength reinforced rectangular concrete beams repaired with CFRP sheets. Case Stud Constr Mater 2021;15:e00779. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2021.e00779.10.1016/j.cscm.2021.e00779 ↗
5. Concrete Society. Assessment. Design and repair of fire-damaged concrete structures. Camberley (UK): Concrete Society; 2008. Technical Report No. 68.
6. Gao, WY, Dai, JG, Teng, JG. Fire resistance of RC beams under design fire exposure. Mag Concr Res 2017;69:402–23. https://doi.org/10.1680/jmacr.15.00329.10.1680/jmacr.15.00329 ↗
7. Chen, YH, Chang, YF, Yao, GC, Sheu, MS. Experimental research on post-fire behaviour of reinforced concrete columns. Fire Saf J 2009;44:741–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2009.02.004.10.1016/j.firesaf.2009.02.004 ↗
8. Haddad, RH, Al-Mekhlafy, N, Ashteyat, AM. Repair of heat-damaged reinforced concrete slabs using fibrous composite materials. Constr Build Mater 2011;25:1213–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2010.09.033.10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2010.09.033 ↗
9. Concrete Society. Assessment of fire-damaged concrete structures and repair by gunite. Camberley (UK): Concrete Society; 1978. Technical Report No. 15.
10. Lin, CH, Chen, ST, Yang, CA. Repair of fire-damaged reinforced concrete columns. ACI Struct J 1995;92:406–11.10.14359/992 ↗
11. Wang, L, Su, RKL. Repair of fire-exposed preloaded rectangular concrete columns by post-compressed steel plates. J Struct Eng 2014;140:04013083. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)st.1943-541x.0000884.10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0000884 ↗
12. Bisby, LA, Chen, JF, Li, SQ, Stratford, TJ, Cueva, N, Crossling, K. Strengthening fire-damaged concrete by confinement with fibre-reinforced polymer wraps. Eng Struct 2011;33:3381–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2011.07.002.10.1016/j.engstruct.2011.07.002 ↗
13. Palanivelu, R, Panchanatham, B, Lubloy, EE. Strengthening of axially loaded RC columns using FRP with inorganic binder: a review on engineered geopolymer composites. Case Stud Constr Mater 2025:e04590.10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e04590 ↗
14. Haddad, RH, Shannag, MJ, Moh’d A. Repair of heat-damaged RC shallow beams using advanced composites. Mater Struct. 2008;41:287-99, https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-007-9238-9.10.1617/s11527-007-9238-9 ↗
15. Yaqub, M, Bailey, CG, Nedwell, P. Axial capacity of post-heated square columns wrapped with FRP composites. Cem Concr Compos 2011;33:694–701. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2011.03.011.10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2011.03.011 ↗
16. ACI Committee 440. Guide for the design and construction of externally bonded FRP systems for strengthening concrete structures (ACI 440.2R-08). Farmington Hills (MI): American Concrete Institute; 2008.
17. Dai, JG, Gao, WY, Teng, JG. Bond-slip model for FRP laminates externally bonded to concrete at elevated temperature. J Compos Construct 2013;17:217–28. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)cc.1943-5614.0000337.10.1061/(ASCE)CC.1943-5614.0000337 ↗
18. Gao, WY, Dai, JG, Teng, JG. Fire resistance design of unprotected FRP strengthened beams. Mater Struct 2016;49:5357–71.10.1617/s11527-016-0865-x ↗
19. Gao, WY, Dai, JG, Teng, JG. Three-level fire resistance design of FRP strengthened RC beams. J Compos Construct 2018;22:05018001. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)cc.1943-5614.0000840.10.1061/(ASCE)CC.1943-5614.0000840 ↗
20. Bernat-Maso, E, Escrig, C, Aranha, CA, Gil, L. Experimental assessment of textile reinforced sprayed mortar strengthening system for brickwork wallettes. Constr Build Mater 2014;50:226–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.09.031.10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.09.031 ↗
21. Colajanni, P, Di Domenico, F, Recupero, A, Spinella, N. Concrete columns confined with fibre reinforced cementitious mortars: experimentation and modelling. Constr Build Mater 2014;52:375–84.10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.11.048 ↗
22. Gao, WY, Teng, JG, Dai, JG. Effect of temperature variation on the full-range behavior of FRP-to-concrete bonded joints. J Compos Construct 2012;16:671–83. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)cc.1943-5614.0000296.10.1061/(ASCE)CC.1943-5614.0000296 ↗
23. Gao, WY, Dai, JG, Teng, JG. Analysis of mode II debonding behavior of fiber reinforced polymer-to-substrate bonded joints subjected to combined thermal and mechanical loading. Eng Fract Mech 2015;136:241–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2015.02.002.10.1016/j.engfracmech.2015.02.002 ↗
24. Awani, O, El-Maaddawy, T, Ismail, N. Fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix: a promising strengthening technique for concrete structure. Constr Build Mater 2017;132:94–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.11.125.10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.11.125 ↗
25. Ortlepp, R, Ortlepp, S. Textile reinforced concrete for strengthening of RC columns: a contribution to resource conservation through the preservation of structures. Constr Build Mater 2017;132:150–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.11.133.10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.11.133 ↗
26. Dai, JG, Munir, S, Ding, Z. Comparative study of different cement-based inorganic pastes towards the development of FPIP strengthening technology. J Compos Construct 2014;18:A4013011. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)cc.1943-5614.0000420.10.1061/(ASCE)CC.1943-5614.0000420 ↗
27. Kumar, S, Das, CS, Lao, J, Alrefaei, Y, Dai, JG. Effect of sand content on bond performance of engineered geopolymer composites (EGC) repair material. Constr Build Mater 2022;328:127080.10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127080 ↗
28. Zhong, H, Zhang, M. Engineered geopolymer composites: a state-of-the-art review. Cem Concr Compos 2023;135:104850. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2022.104850.10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2022.104850 ↗
29. Zhang, Z, Yu, J, Qin, F, Sun, F. Thermal effect on mechanical properties of metakaolin-based engineered geopolymer composites (EGC). Case Stud Constr Mater 2023;18:e02150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2023.e02150.10.1016/j.cscm.2023.e02150 ↗
30. Fiore, V, Scalici, T, Di Bella, G, Valenza, A. A review on basalt fibre and its composites. Composites, Part B Eng 2015;74:74–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2014.12.034.10.1016/j.compositesb.2014.12.034 ↗
31. Sim, J, Park, C, Moon, DY. Characteristics of basalt fiber as a strengthening material for concrete structures. Composites, Part B Eng 2005;36:504–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2005.02.002.10.1016/j.compositesb.2005.02.002 ↗
32. Ouyang, LJ, Gao, WY, Zhen, B, Lu, ZD. Seismic retrofit of square reinforced concrete columns using basalt and carbon fiber-reinforced polymer sheets: a comparative study. Compos Struct 2017;162:294–307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2016.12.016.10.1016/j.compstruct.2016.12.016 ↗
33. Dai, JG, Gao, WY, Teng, JG. Finite element modeling of insulated FRP strengthened reinforced concrete beams exposed to fire. J Compos Construct 2015;19:04014046.10.1061/(ASCE)CC.1943-5614.0000509 ↗
34. Handoo, SK, Agarwal, S, Agarwal, SK. Physicochemical, mineralogical, and morphological characteristics of concrete exposed to elevated temperatures. Cem Concr Res 2002;32:1009–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0008-8846(01)00736-0.10.1016/S0008-8846(01)00736-0 ↗
35. Palanivelu, R, Panchanatham, B, Zapris, AG, Kytinou, VK. Non-conventional and sustainable retrofitting of fire-exposed reinforced concrete columns using basalt fiber-engineered geopolymer composites. Buildings 2025;15:1962. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15121962.10.3390/buildings15121962 ↗
36. Menéndez, E, Vega, L. Analysis of the behaviour of structural concrete after the fire at the Windsor building in Madrid. Fire Mater 2010;34:95–107. https://doi.org/10.1002/fam.1013.10.1002/fam.1013 ↗
37. Kim, KY, Yun, TS, Park, KP. Evaluation of pore structures and cracking in cement paste exposed to elevated temperatures by X-ray computed tomography. Cem Concr Res 2013;50:34–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2013.03.020.10.1016/j.cemconres.2013.03.020 ↗
38. Zhang, Z, Zhang, H, Gong, F. Design and analysis of a CFRP drive shaft. Adv Mater Res 2013;690-693:3042–5.10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.690-693.3042 ↗
39. Sabau, E, Popescu, A, Vilau, C. Mechanical behavior of composite materials using finite element analysis. MATEC Web Conf 2017;137:08006. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201713708006.10.1051/matecconf/201713708006 ↗
40. Portnov, A, Kovaleva, I. Features of modelling reinforced concrete structures to provide fire resistance. IOP Conf Ser Mater Sci Eng 2020;869:072046. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899x/869/7/072046.10.1088/1757-899X/869/7/072046 ↗
41. Sandra, M, Simon, S, Anju, T. Non-linear analysis on CFDST columns with and without GFRP wrapping. Int J Sci Technol Eng. 2022;10:612–6.10.22214/ijraset.2022.45379 ↗
42. Zakaria, NA, Ismail, R, Ahmad, FA, Ahmad, Z, Ahmad, H, Rosle, MF, et al.. Numerical investigation of fully confined RC column with CFRP when exposed to fire. Process Saf Environ Prot 2022;129:103335.10.1016/j.pce.2022.103335 ↗
43. Bureau of Indian Standards. IS 12269:2013. Ordinary Portland cement–53 grade specification. New Delhi: BIS; 2013.
44. Bureau of Indian Standards. IS 2386:1963. Methods of test for aggregates for concrete. New Delhi: BIS; 1963.
45. Bureau of Indian Standards. IS 383:1970. Specification for coarse and fine aggregates from natural sources for concrete. New Delhi: BIS; 1970.
46. Bureau of Indian Standards. IS 10262:2009. Recommended guidelines for concrete mix design. New Delhi: BIS; 2009.
47. Bureau of Indian Standards. SP 16:1980. Design aids for reinforced concrete to IS 456:1978. New Delhi: BIS; 1980.
48. ASTM International. ASTM C1437-07. Standard test method for flow of hydraulic cement mortar. West Conshohocken (PA): ASTM; 2007.
49. Bureau of Indian Standards. IS 516:1959. Method of test for strength of concrete. New Delhi: BIS; 1959.
50. Bureau of Indian Standards. IS 5512:1983. Specification for flow table for hydraulic cement. New Delhi: BIS; 1983.
51. ASTM International. ASTM D3039/D3039M. Standard test method for tensile properties of polymer matrix composite materials. West Conshohocken (PA): ASTM.
52. International Organization for Standardization. BS EN ISO 527-5:2009. Plastics–Determination of tensile properties. Part 5. Geneva: ISO; 2009.
53. ASTM International. ASTM C642. Standard test method for density, absorption, and voids in hardened concrete. West Conshohocken (PA): ASTM.
54. ASTM International. ASTM C1585-04. Standard test method for rate of absorption of water by hydraulic cement concretes. West Conshohocken (PA): ASTM; 2004.
55. Nematzadeh, M, Baradaran-Nasiri, A. Residual properties of concrete containing recycled refractory brick aggregate at elevated temperatures. J Mater Civ Eng 2018;30:04017255. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)mt.1943-5533.0002125.10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002125 ↗
56. Baloch, WL, Khushnood, RA, Khaliq, W. Influence of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on residual performance of concrete exposed to high temperatures. Constr Build Mater 2018;185:44–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.07.051.10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.07.051 ↗
57. International Organization for Standardization. ISO 834-11:2014. Fire resistance tests–elements of building construction. Geneva: ISO; 2014.
58. ANSYS Inc. ANSYS release 17.2 documentation. Canonsburg (PA): ANSYS; 2016.
59. Mirmiran, A, Zagers, K, Yuan, W. Nonlinear finite element modeling of concrete confined by fiber composites. Finite Elem Anal Des 2000;35:79–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0168-874x(99)00056-6.10.1016/S0168-874X(99)00056-6 ↗
60. Gao, WY, Wang, TC, Hu, KX. Flexural behavior of fire damaged RC slabs strengthened with basalt fabric-reinforced ECC. In: . Advances in Engineering Materials, Structures and Systems; 2023.10.1016/B978-0-323-85149-7.00013-6 ↗
61. Mou, H, Chen, Y, Feng, Z, Liu, H. Damage and energy absorption behavior of CFRP/aluminum hybrid thin-walled columns. Thin Wall Struct 2024;197:111593. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2024.111593.10.1016/j.tws.2024.111593 ↗
62. Yang, X, Tang, C, Chen, Y, Qiao, TY. Compressive behavior of steel-reinforced concrete-filled square steel tubular stub columns after elevated temperature. Eng Struct 2020;204:110048. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2019.110048.10.1016/j.engstruct.2019.110048 ↗
63. ACI Committee 549. Guide to design and construction of externally bonded FRCM systems (ACI 549.4R-13). Farmington Hills (MI): American Concrete Institute; 2013.