INVESTIGATION AND TAGUCHI OPTIMIZATION OF FIRE RESISTANCE IN ULTRA-HIGH PERFORMANCE CONCRETE (UHPC) PRODUCED USING MINERAL ADDITIVES

Abstract

In this study, the effects of silica fume (SF), fly ash (FA) and granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) on the design and fire resistance properties of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) were analyzed using the Taguchi L16 method. Samples were exposed to temperatures of 300 °C, 450 °C and 600 °C. The composition of the UHPC was: sand/binder ratio = 1, water/binder ratio = 0.19, Polycarboxylate superplasticizer (PCE) /binder ratio = 3.5%, pozzolanic (SF, FA and GBFS)/binder ratio = (0, 10, 15, 20)% and steel fibers = 1% by volume, and a Taguchi L16 program was prepared that consisted of 240 samples (40x40x160mm). The high-temperature properties of the UHPC samples were evaluated. Because several mixtures could withstand a temperature of 450 °C, it was determined that the losses were more effective when the highest temperature reached was greater than or equal to 600 °C, and the twelve mixtures are damaged by breaking them up. When the actual values obtained in the verification test were examined, it was determined that the results were sufficient for the compressive and flexural strength and physical properties of the concrete under various heating conditions and the Taguchi optimization was successfully implemented.