Residual Compressive Strength of Laterized Concrete Subjected to Elevated Temperatures

This research presents the results of an experimental program to investigate the strength performance of laterized concrete (LATCON) when subjected to elevated temperatures of 200, 400 and 600oC. Six concrete mixes incorporating 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% Laterite as a replacement by weight of sand was prepared. After heat pretreatment specimens were cooled using either rapid cooling (water-cooling) or natural cooling (air-cooling). An analysis of variance test shows that exposure temperature, cooling regime, and their interaction have a significant influence on the compressive strength of the samples. When subjected to the investigated temperatures specimens experienced strength losses that increased with temperature. This study further reveals that air-cooled concrete specimens maintained higher residual strength values than water-cooled specimens. A comparison of the residual compressive strength data obtained in this study with code provisions in Eurocode and CEB design curve shows that these codes could be applied to LATCON subjected to temperature below 400oC.