Concrete at High Temperatures

Book excerpt: With the increased use of concrete in high temperature environments, it is essential for engineers to have a knowledge of the properties and mathematical modelling of concrete in such extreme conditions. Bringing together, for the first time, vast amounts of data previously scattered throughout numerous papers and periodicals, this book provides, in two parts, a comprehensive and systematic review of both the properties and the mathematical modelling of concrete at high temperatures. Part I provides a comprehensive description of the material properties of concrete at high temperatures. Assuming only a basic knowledge of mathematics, the information is presented at an elementary level suitable for graduates of civil engineering or materials science. Part II describes the response of concrete to high temperatures in precise terms based on mathematical modelling of physical processes. Suitable for advanced graduate students, researchers and specialists, it presents detailed mathematical models of phenomena such as heat transfer, moisture diffusion, creep, volume changes, cracking and fracture. Concrete at High Temperatures will prove a valuable reference source to university researchers and graduate students in civil engineering and materials science, engineers in research laboratories, and practising engineers concerned with fire resistance, concrete structures for nuclear reactors and chemical technology vessels.