Spalling of Concrete due to Fire Exposure

State-of-the-Art Report of the RILEM Technical Committee 256-SPF
Erscheinungsjahr 2026
ISBN: 978-3-032-33526-5
Verlag: Springer

Buch, Englisch, 136 Seiten, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 235 mm

Reihe: RILEM State-of-the-Art Reports

This book presents the work of RILEM TC 256-SPF, and provides a comprehensive review of concrete spalling under fire exposure. It brings together observations from real fires and laboratory tests, reviews the main physical theories (thermal stresses, pore pressure, and combined mechanisms), describes available experimental test methods, and summarizes how concrete mix design, material properties, geometry, and loading conditions affect spalling risk.

The novel contribution of this volume lies in the systematic consolidation of decades of previously fragmented research into a single coherent framework, complemented by practical recommendations for testing and design. These recommendations are supported by recent experimental campaigns and aligned with updated standards.

The book will be of interest to researchers developing new models and test methods; fire safety engineers designing structures to mitigate spalling; design offices and structural engineers addressing fire resistance in projects; manufacturers optimizing concrete formulations to reduce spalling risk; and technical control authorities and organizations involved in the assessment and approval of innovative construction products.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Mindeguia, Jean-Christophe

Pimienta, Pierre

McNamee, Robert

Fachgebiete

• Technische Wissenschaften Maschinenbau | Werkstoffkunde Technische Mechanik | Werkstoffkunde
• Technische Wissenschaften Bauingenieurwesen Baukonstruktion, Baufachmaterialien
• Technische Wissenschaften Bauingenieurwesen Gebäudebrandschutz

Inhaltsverzeichnis

General Introduction.- Physical background of concrete spalling due to fire exposure.- Test methods for concrete spalling due to fire exposure.- Influencing parameters based on test results.- General Conclusions.

Über Autor(innen)

Jean-Christophe Mindeguia
Jean-Christophe Mindeguia is Associate Professor at the University of Bordeaux since 2011 and conducts his research within the I2M laboratory, where he has developed a recognized expertise in the thermo-mechanical behaviour of civil engineering materials and structures exposed to fire. His work relies on a coupled experimental and numerical approach applied to concrete, timber and complex structures, including historic heritage buildings. He has supervised eight PhD theses dealing with fire and is actively involved in numerous national and international research projects, including COST actions, three successive RILEM technical committees on fire behaviour of concrete and the French scientific programme after Notre-Dame de Paris fire. He is co-author of 28 international journal papers and co-editor of a reference book on concrete properties at high temperature.

Pierre Pimienta
Pierre Pimienta is a Senior Research Engineer at the Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment (CSTB), where he has developed recognized expertise in the behaviour of concrete structures exposed to fire. Over several decades, he has contributed to advancing scientific understanding of thermo hydro mechanical processes in concrete at high temperature, including transient thermal strain and fire induced spalling. His work combines experimental investigations at both material and structural scales, spanning fundamental research as well as applied engineering projects, with applications to buildings and safety critical underground infrastructures. He has played a major role within the international scientific community, serving as Chairman of the last three RILEM Technical Committees dedicated to concrete at high temperature (TC HPB, TC SPF, and TC CFR). Throughout his career, he has supervised and co supervised several PhD theses dealing with the behaviour of concrete at high temperature and under fire exposure. He is the author or co author of numerous scientific publications, technical reports, and contributions to normative and pre normative activities. More recently, he has extended his research activities to the fire behaviour of masonry structures, particularly limestone masonry and earth based brick materials.

Robert McNamee
Robert McNamee serves as a Senior Researcher and Research and Operations Developer within the Fire and Safety Department at RISE, Research Institutes of Sweden. He is a Board Member and past chairman of SFPE Europe (Society of Fire Protection Engineers), and has held the roles of secretary and vice chairman in three RILEM Technical Committees focused on concrete at elevated temperatures (TC HPB, TC SPF, and TC CFR). Additionally, Robert is an Associate Editor for the journal Fire and Materials. His scholarly work encompasses journal articles, conference proceedings, scientific reports, and book chapters, with an emphasis on fire-related issues concerning concrete, timber, steel, facades, thermal properties, measurement methodologies, CFD simulations, and the environmental consequences of fires.