Masonry exposed to high temperatures: Mechanical behaviour and properties—An overview

The paper summarises the available information about the behaviour of masonry assemblies and components exposed to high temperatures and fire. A general frame is provided by fire resistance issues in current code provisions and observations from real events, theoretical as well as experimental researches on materials' performance during and after exposure to high temperatures. In particular, the newly acquired engineering approach to fire design has raised the need for improvements in the knowledge of fire and post-fire behaviour of structures at a material scale; thus, the paper particularly focuses on the mechanical properties of masonry materials, that are still scarcely investigated, especially in the residual (i.e. post-fire) situation. Detailed comments are given about the temperature-dependence of the relevant mechanical properties for masonry and its components, that are put into comparison. Then, the main research needs are outlined in the conclusions.

► A code and literature review on effects of high temperatures on masonry materials. ► At temperatures around 500 °C decay is irreversible under and after exposure. ► At 1000 °C the loss of stiffness is complete. ► Cooling regimes have a noticeable influence.