Evaluation of High-Performance Concrete Exposed to Elevated Temperatures

The Thesis examines the problem of thermal spalling of concrete. The literature review includes fire examples, various fire loading protocols, and concrete properties under the influence of high temperature. One of the main novelties of the Thesis is the complex measurements, combining thermal loading with simultaneous measurements of the temperature profile and water vapour pressure, supplemented by visualisation of water movement using neutron radiography. Non-destructive testing methods allow to put forward the theory of general dehydration in cement paste and possible local hydration in ITZ (interfacial transition zone) and shrinkage-induced micro-cracks.