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Masonry Thermal Properties

The Annex D (informative) of prEN1996-1-2 (2003) provides the thermal properties of thermal elongation, heat conductivity and specific heat capacity and the density at elevated temperatures for some types of masonry unit.

The most significant material property characterising the fire performance of masonry is the density rather than the type of brick, as the density is a measure of the porosity of the brick which will govern the thermal properties of masonry at elevated temperatures (Purkiss 1996).

Table 1 gives data on the density and coefficient of linear thermal expansion of masonry units and mortar at ambient temperature. Basically, the British Standard and Eurocode provide close values for various masonry units, except calcium silicate unit.

Table 1: Coefficient of Thermal Expansion of Masonry Units and Mortar
Material
Density
(kg/m3)
Thermal expansion coefficient (×10-6 per °C)
ENV 1996-1-1
BS5628-3
BRE-Digests
Clay
900-2400
4 to 8
4 to 8
5 to 8
Calcium silicate
1600-2000
7 to 11
11 to 15
5 to 12
Dense aggregate concret
Gravel aggregate
Crushed rock
Limestone
Lightweight aggregate
concrete
AAC
400-2400 6 to 12 7 to 14  
12 to 14
10 to 13
7 to 8
600-1000
8 to 12
8 to 12
8 to 12
400-750
7 to 9
8
Mortar
1500-1750
10-13
11 to 13
11 to 13

Figure 1 compares the variation of thermal strains for various types of masonry unit at elevated temperatures included in Annex D (informative) of prEN1996-1-2. The design data shows that not all masonry units will expand under heating. The AAC and lightweight aggregate concrete units shrink at elevated temperatures.

Figures 2 to 5 show the variation of heat conductivity, specific hear capacity and density with temperature for various types of masonry units.


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