The behavior of reinforced concrete columns exposure to eccentric loads at high temperature

Abstract

Abstract This paper aims to investigate the influence of high temperature on the reinforced concrete columns’ behavior and load-carrying capacity when subjected to eccentric loads. Experimental tests were conducted on four RC column specimens reinforced by steel bars and subjected to four levels of temperatures: 20 ºC, 400 ºC, 500 ºC, and 650 ºC. One of these specimens was exposed to ambient temperature and considered as the control specimen. After exposure to elevated temperature, all columns were axially loaded by compression force using an eccentricity ratio (e/h) equal to 0.5. The experimental test findings demonstrated a remarkable decrease in the RC column’s ultimate carrying capacity when subjected to elevated temperature. The columns’ ultimate load capacity decreases by about 14.286 %, 28.571 %, and 42.857 % at elevated temperature magnitude of 400 ºC, 500 ºC, and 650 ºC respectively, compared with the control column at ambient temperature. Also, an increase in fire temperature resulted in a reduction in the load capacity with an increase in lateral and axial deflection of tested columns.