Assessment Of Elevated Temperature Effects on Bagasse Ash Modified High Strength Self-Compacting Concrete Using Non- Destructive Testing Methods

Abstract

Concrete, a fundamental construction material, is vulnerable to
physical, chemical, and mechanical degradation under extreme
thermal conditions, such as fires. Assessing the residual
integrity of heat-damaged concrete is essential for ensuring
long-term safety and serviceability. Non-destructive testing
methods, particularly Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV), offer an
efficient and non-invasive alternative to traditional destructive
approaches. This study evaluated the impact of high
aiming to understand changes in physical properties and verify
damage. M70-grade self-compacting concrete (SCC) cubes
(100 × 100 × 100 mm) were cast, water-cured for 7, 14, 21,28,
35 and 42 days, and subjected to baseline UPV tests. Specimens
incorporating bagasse ash replacement levels of 0%, 2.5%, 5%,
7.5%, and 10% were subsequently exposed to elevated
temperatures. After thermal exposure, UPV test was carried out.
Results showed significant degradation with increased
rapid cooling at lower RC percentages. These findings confirm
that UPV is a reliable and practical method for identifying and
quantifying thermal damage in concrete, with results clearly
correlating temperature exposure, cooling regimes, and changes
in concrete integrity.