Abstract:
This study investigated the effect of elevated temperature on the mechanical and physical properties of
concrete specimens obtained by substituting cement with finely ground pumice (FGP) at proportions of
5%, 10%, 15% and 20% by weight. To determine the effect of silica fume (SF) additive on the mechanical
and physical properties of concrete containing FGP, SF has been added to all series except for the control
specimen, which contained 10% cement by weight instead. The specimens were heated in an electric
furnace up to 400, 600 and 800 1C and kept at these temperatures for one hour. After the specimens
were cooled in the furnace, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), compressive strength and weight loss
values were determined. The results demonstrated that adding the mineral admixtures to concrete
decreased both unit weight and compressive strength. Additionally, elevating the temperature above
600 1C affected the compressive strength such that the weight loss of concrete was more pronounced
for concrete mixtures containing both FGP and SF. These results were also supported by scanning
electron microscope (SEM) studies
