Behavior of Short Reinforced Concrete Columns Subjected to Eccentric Preloading under Fire Exposure

Authors

• Mohanad Wisam Mousa, Civil Engineering Department, University of Technology- Iraq, Alsinaa Street 52, 10066 Baghdad, IraqFollow
• Sarmad Shafeeq Abdulqader, Civil Engineering Department, University of Technology- Iraq, Alsinaa Street 52, 10066 Baghdad, Iraq
• Ahlam Sader Mohammed, Civil Engineering Department, University of Technology- Iraq, Alsinaa Street 52, 10066 Baghdad, Iraq

Keywords

Exposed to fire, Fire duration, Concrete columns and eccentric load

Document Type

Article

Abstract

This study investigates the fire resistance behavior of square reinforced concrete (RC) columns subjected to a standard ASTM E119 cellulosic fire while carrying a sustained eccentric axial load. Twelve laboratory-scale RC columns were experimentally tested and classified into two groups based on loading eccentricity: Group A with an eccentricity of 45 mm and Group B with an eccentricity of 90 mm. Ten specimens were exposed to fire at target temperatures of 500°C and 700°C for exposure durations of 60 and 120 minutes, while two columns were tested as unexposed reference specimens. Two post-fire cooling methods were considered, namely gradual air cooling and rapid water quenching. After cooling, all specimens were subjected to monotonic axial loading with eccentricity until ultimate failure to evaluate their residual load-carrying capacity. The results indicate that increasing fire temperature and exposure duration significantly reduced the ultimate capacity of fire-exposed columns. Water quenching further intensified strength degradation compared to air cooling. Columns with larger eccentricity exhibited lower residual capacity, highlighting the pronounced interaction between eccentric loading and fire-induced damage. This study addresses the combined effects of eccentric preloading, fire exposure duration, and cooling method on the post-fire performance of RC columns, which have not been investigated simultaneously in previous studies.

Recommended Citation

Mousa, Mohanad Wisam; Abdulqader, Sarmad Shafeeq; and Mohammed, Ahlam Sader (2026) "Behavior of Short Reinforced Concrete Columns Subjected to Eccentric Preloading under Fire Exposure," Engineering and Technology Journal: Vol. 44: Iss. 5, Article 1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.30684/2412-0758.1541

DOI

10.30684/2412-0758.1541

First Page

1

Last Page

20