A Comprehensive Review of Spalling and Fire Performance of Concrete Members

Abstract

Spalling of concrete in fire is due to dislodgement of small pieces of concrete. This phenomenon is one of the most detrimental effects causing damage or even failure of the concrete members during or after a fire by decreasing the residual mechanical properties and durability of the structure. In spite of many experimental and numerical studies, the real mechanism of spalling is still not well understood, which is mainly due to the erratic nature of this phenomenon and inhomogeneity of the concrete structures. To establish a more clear view of the achievements in this area and also the areas in need of more investigations, this paper critically reviews the latest findings on concrete performance during heating in general and specifically the fire spalling behaviour of concrete members and different views on governing factors that affect this phenomenon.