Thermal decomposition in blended cement systems and its effect on fire-induced concrete spalling: Insights from XRD and TGA

Blended cements are gaining increasing popularity due to their lower CO 2 -footprint in comparison to ordinary Portland cement (OPC). However, this growing use raises the potential risk of buildings made with blended cement concrete being exposed to fire, which can lead to heavy damages caused by explosive concrete spalling. It has already been shown that the cement type strongly influences the fire-induced concrete spalling and the thermally induced moisture transport, however, to understand the mechanisms behind these findings the thermal decomposition behavior of the cementitious matrix must be investigated more systematically. Therefore, the phase content of three blended cement pastes (CEM II/A-LL, CEM III/A and CEM II/B-Q) was studied in comparison with a Portland cement paste (CEM I) after temperature exposure to 20 °C, 105 °C, 300 °C and 500 °C. Clear differences in the initial phase composition and their dehydration behavior between the individual cement types were recognized. In conclusion, blended cements showed lower amounts of AFt and AFm phases and additionally lower amounts of portlandite and C-(A)-S-H were found in CEM III/A and CEM II/B-Q pastes. The results suggest that higher AFt and AFm contents in CEM I, which are associated with greater water release at relatively low temperatures may ultimately reduce the spalling risk. Furthermore, C-(A)-S-H in CEM III/A and CEM II/B-Q showed increased thermal stability and large amounts of non-hydrated phases were found in every blended cement paste. Both of those aspects might contribute to thermomechanical spalling and the overall increased spalling susceptibility observed in blended cement concrete. • Blended cements influence the decomposition behavior under elevated temperatures • CEM I paste forms higher amounts of AFt and AFm phases • CEM III/A and CEM II/B-Q pastes form C-(A)-S-H with enhanced thermal stability • The dehydration behavior strongly influences thermally induced moisture transport