Temperature Change Effect on Behavior of Cement Paste, Mortar, and Concrete Under Load.

Presents results of an experimental study of the effect of temperature changes between room temperature and 212 F on deflections of cement paste and mortar beams under load. It was found that: (a) cement paste and mortar beams deflect exces-sively when heated after application of load; (b) deflections occasionally lead to failure at low stresses and after moderate heating; (c) deflections increase with increasing rate of heating; (d) deflections are larger and the temperature at failure is lower for cement paste than for cement mortar; (e) deflections are larger and the temperature at failure is lower for saturated than for dry beams; (f) rapid rates of heating permanently reduces the modulus of elasticity of cement mortar, indicating internal destruction of the material structure; (g) thermal cycling leads to excessive deflections and occasionally to failure. A tentative explanation of the phenomena observed is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]