Load-bearing masonry in fire situation: influence of clay bricks compressive strength

Abstract

There are several characteristics that influence fire resistance of load-bearing masonries, wherein stand out the bricks compressive strength. Verification of wall systems fire behavior was conducted as prescribed by NBR 5628. This research aims to comparatively analyze fire resistance in real scale load-bearing walls, considering thermal insulation, structural stability, and airtightness. The thickness of the coating and laying mortar were standardized for all specimens just varying brick geometry and septs design in blocks of EST 60, 100, and 140 class. The obtained results show that the compressive strength of the bricks can induce both the structural stability of the constructive systems and its thermal insulation, being a typically critical characteristic for clay brick walls in a building fire. The sample with the highest compressive strength obtained the shortest local displacement, contributing to mitigate the generation of fissures in the system, enhancing the thermal insulation of the clay brick wall, and, thereby, its fire resistance.

Keywords:
Fire resistance; Load-bearing masonry; Clay bricks; Thermal insulation; Compressive strength