Improving fire resistance of lightweight concrete facade elements by using fibers

Abstract

It is known that the most critical factor affecting fire resistance requirements in buildings is the building envelope, and therefore, improving the thermal properties of facade materials has become an important research area. In this context, studies examining the high temperature resistance properties of various facade materials have indicated that concrete has higher heat resistance compared to many facade materials. Lightweight concrete facade elements stand out for their structural durability and fire resistance at high temperatures. However, the different thermal expansion coefficients of aggregates and cement paste in concrete mixtures can lead to adverse outcomes under high temperatures, such as cracking or structural degradation. To mitigate these adverse effects, it has been suggested that adding fibers to lightweight concrete mixtures could enhance durability and improve fire resistance. This study investigated the effects of different fiber types, lengths, and usage rates on the high temperature resistance of lightweight concrete mixtures. In the experimental study, three different types of fibers—polypropylene, polyamide, and glass—were used in varying proportions of 0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, and 0.75% of the total volume. Polypropylene fibers were included at lengths of 3, 6, and 12 mm; polyamide fibers at 6 and 12 mm; and glass fibers at 13 and 25 mm. When observing the behavior of the mixtures under high temperatures, it was noted that mixtures with glass fibers performed best at 300 °C, while those with polypropylene fibers showed superior performance at 600 °C. This demonstrates the advantages of glass and polypropylene fibers in providing resilience at different temperature ranges. Furthermore, the optimal fiber usage rate for high temperature resistance was determined to be 0.25%. These findings highlight the importance of considering factors such as fiber type, length, and usage rate in the development of fire-resistant facade materials.