Core recovery: a damage diagnosis tool for thermally deteriorated concrete

Purpose This paper aims to study and assess residual strengths of concrete specimen exposed to elevated temperatures by core recovery tests. Design/methodology/approach The appraisal of concrete structures is typically carried out by means of partially destructive tests such as tests on concrete cores taken from the structure and non-destructive testing. Findings This paper presents results associated with determination of residual compressive strengths of plain and reinforced concrete elements exposed to elevated temperatures by core recovery test. Physical observations and results of compressive strengths of cores extracted from plain cement concrete, as well as from reinforced concrete beam elements exposed to elevated temperatures, have been presented. Originality/value The empirical relations have been proposed between standard cube and core extracted for compressive strength of concretes exposed to elevated temperatures are useful for damage diagnosis.