EXPERIMENTAL INQUEST FOR IMPROVING THE FIRE RESISTANCE OF CONCRETE BY THE ADDITION OF POLYPROPYLENE FIBERS

In the present scenario where the human population is expanding staggeringly, fire accidents in buildings is a critical matter because of the risks it inflicts on human lives, property and environment. Fires can prove disastrous and can damage the structures severely. During fires safety of inhabitants and structural integrity are extremely important as fires can eventuate at any time without any warnings. Thus, fire safety should be a major concern before constructing any structure and safeguard of life, property and environment is its only objective. The desire of minimizing the effects of fire have always been a matter of concern from past many years although the causes and type of fire accidents have changed but the risk of fire accidents has always been constant. As fire is considered as demolisher of life and property research's on minimizing or altogether preventing the fire have always been a subject of interest in our society. Fire safety of any structure can be increased by considering the fire resistance of the construction material and the type of fire suppression system used in the structure. Structural integrity to a large extent depends on the load bearing capability of the materials by which structural elements are made under various fire conditions [1]. Thus in order to maintain safety against fires suitable material selection is very decisive and it should be done in initial stages of the project with proper planning