Residual strength of reinforced concrete columns exposed to fire

Abstract Several methods were employed to evaluate the residual strength of reinforced concrete columns exposed to different durations of fire. These methods included the analytical method, ultrasonic tests, hammer tests and load tests. Fifty columns were involved in the tests. Calculated temperatures and residual strengths of the test columns were compared with those measured. Comparisons were also made between results from load tests and those from nondestructive tests. The results showed that using analytical procedures is acceptable while the nondestructive test methods are accurate only for shorter durations of fire.