Assessment and Repair of Fire-Damaged Structures: Case Study of Tai Shing Street Market

Information Paper
Assessment and Repair of Fire-Damaged Structures:

Case Study of Tai Shing Street Market
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING BRANCH

ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
February 2015
Structural Engineering Branch, ArchSD

Edition No./Revision No. : 1/-
Page i of ii
File code : FireAssessment

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MKW/CTW/MKL/YFC/CYK/TWC/MFY
First Edition: February 2015
Contents
1.
Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1
2.
The Site ........................................................................................................................ 2
3.
Initial Site Visit and Preliminary Inspections .............................................................. 5
4.
Preliminary Assessment ............................................................................................... 6
5.
Detailed Assessment .................................................................................................. 11
6.
Assessment of Residual Strength ............................................................................... 21
7.
Structural Appraisal ................................................................................................... 24
8.
Repair Proposals ........................................................................................................ 25
9.
Concluding Remark ................................................................................................... 27
References .......................................................................................................................... 27
Appendix A
Architectural Layout of Kai Tak Garden Phase I
Appendix B
Structural Framing Plans of Kai Tak Garden Phase I
Appendix C
Drawings for Repair Works
Copyright and Disclaimer of Liability

This Paper or any part of it shall not be reproduced, copied or transmitted in any
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or any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission from
the Architectural Services Department. Moreover, this Paper is intended for the
internal use of the staff in the Architectural Services Department only, and should not
be relied on by any third party. No liability is therefore undertaken to any third party.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the
information contained in this Paper at the time of publication, no guarantee is given
nor responsibility taken by the Architectural Services Department for errors or
omissions in it. The information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be
responsible for making their own assessment or interpretation of the information.
Readers are advised to verify all relevant representation, statements and information
with their own professional knowledge. The Architectural Services Department
accepts no liability for any use of the said information and data or reliance placed on
it (including the formulae and data). Compliance with this Paper does not itself
confer immunity from legal obligations.

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1.
Introduction
1.1
On 20 April 2013, a Level 3 fire broke out at Tai Shing Street Market in Wong
Tai Sin. The fire (Figure 1) lasted for seven hours before the blaze was put out.
News reporting the incident are available at the following URLs:
Hong Kong Boardband: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkvD32BQX0U
(accessed: 4 October 2013)
Now TV: http://news.now.com/home/local/player?newsId=65700 (accessed: 4
October 2013)
As a result, the market had to be closed down temporarily, with more than 400
stalls being affected. The fire had caused substantial fire damage to the
structural elements to the market, including extensive concrete spalling of the rc
slab, and cracks on the beams, columns and walls, though the fire did not cause
severe damage to the external elevation (Figure 2).
(Source: 22 April 2013, Ta Kung Pao)

(Source: 21 April 2013, The Sun)
Figure 1 Fire at Tai Shing Street Market
Figure 2 Damage to external faade after the fire

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1.2
SEB had promulgated SEBGL-OTH7 Guidelines on Structural Fire Engineering

Part II: Design of Structural Elements and Assessment of Fire-Damaged
Structures
(SEBGL-OTH7)
(available:
http://asdiis/sebiis/2k/resource_centre/), in which the procedures in Figure 3 for
assessment and repair of fire-damaged structure are recommended. As SEB has
been responsible in the assessment of the fire on the structural integrity of the
building, and was also responsible for devising the repair methods to restore the
building to a sound condition. This Information Paper illustrates the details of
the assessment and proposals for repair based on the procedures in Figure 3.
Initial site visit
Verify if structure is safe to enter
Take action to secure public safety
Preliminary inspections
Identify the scale of damage and
the follow-up areas including the
need of closure of potential
dangerous areas
Note area with maximum
temperature
Detailed evaluation
Computational modelling of fire
scenario using CFD method, e.g.
modelling using CFAST
Non-destructive tests
Destructive tests
Structural appraisal
Repairs
Identify extent of repair
Prepare details and specifications
of repair
Figure 3 Procedures of assessment of fire damaged structure
(Source: modified from Gosain and Choudhuri 2008)
2.
The Site
2.1
Tai Shing Street Market, completed in 2001, is located within the compound of
Kai Tak Garden in Wong Tai Sin at the junction of Tai Shing Street and Choi
Hung Road (Figure 4). Kai Tak Garden (Figure 5) consists of two phases with
a total of five nos. of 26-36-storey residential blocks sitting on a common
podium (which serves as a garden for the residents of Kai Tak Garden (Figure
6)). The market is of two storeys situated underneath the common podium of
Kai Tak Garden Phase I with a single storey basement serving both the market
and Kai Tak Garden. The structural design of Kai Tak Garden Phase I was
prepared by Wong & Ouyang (HK) Ltd in 1995-96, and the developer was
Hong Kong Housing Society. Under the Government Lease, the market is

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owned by the Hong Kong SAR Government, and the podium is owned by the
Incorporated Owners of Kai Tak Garden. Food and Environmental Hygiene
Department (FEHD) is responsible for the daily management of the market,
and ArchSD is responsible for the maintenance of the market. Figure 7 gives a
schematic section across the compound showing the relationship of the market
and the residential blocks.
Figure 4 Location plan of Tai Shing Street Market

(Source: www.centamap.com)
Figure 5 View of Kai Tak Garden from the junction of

Choi Hung Road and Tai Shing Street
(Source: www.Goolge.com.hk)
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Figure 6 Podium Garden of Kai Tak Garden
Figure 7 Section across compound of Kai Tak Garden

2.2
The as-built architectural layout (at Appendix A) and structural framing plans
(at Appendix B) of the market have been retrieved, and the whole compound is
an rc construction with lateral stability provided by core walls. The market
itself is an rc framed structure with typical rectangular grid. Slabs are of
150mm thick spanning 3.417m on secondary beams of 750mm(D)500mm(B)
spanning 12.9m maximum. Primary beams are of 800mm(D)700mm(B) with
a maximum span of 10.25m. A FRR of 2 hours has been allowed in the original
design. The foundation of the whole compound is founded on driven steel Hpiles.

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3.
Initial Site Visit and Preliminary Inspections
3.1
The fire occurred in the mid-night of 20.4.2013 on the dry goods area on 1/F of
the market, and was only put off in the afternoon of 21.4.2013. After the fire,
SSE/APB immediately visited the site to make a preliminary assessment of the
structural integrity of the building. As the fire occurred on 1/F, extensive
damage was caused to the underside of the podium (i.e. 2/F slabs and beams).
SSE/APB, after consulting the then CSE/1, advised PSM and the management
office to cordon off part of the podium in order to restrict the imposed load onto
the podium, and props were then installed on 1/F as temporary support to 2/F
slabs before restoration. Of course, the market was temporally closed.
3.2
The investigation team headed by the then CSE/1 arrived at the post-fire scene
in the afternoon of 22.4.2103. During an initial inspection (Figure 8), the
debris had not yet been removed and this provided very useful information on
the spread and severity of the fire. Spalling, the flaking of the concrete, the
formation of major cracks and the distortion of the construction were identified
so as to assess the structural integrity. As the concrete surfaces of the structure
were blackened and visibility in the absence of artificial lighting was poor, it
was difficult to ascertain the extent of damage. However, the investigation team
was still able to examining the most conspicuously damaged elements and
identifying the extent of damaged elements in order to give an indication of the
likely scale of the damage and the areas to be under detailed investigation.
Figure 8 Conditions of building after the fire
3.3
In the initial inspection, SSE/APB also got the contact of fire fighting officers,
and this later served as a valuable and reliable source of information on the
history of the fire, e.g. where and when the fire started, the spread route of the
fire, whether flashover occurred, the length of time taken to fight the fire, the
operation of any automatic fire detection, and the degree of effort required to
fight the fire. Hence, in assessing fire damage, the contact point of the
responsible fire fighting officers should be obtained. Management office of Kai
Tak Garden was also contacted, and their witnesses gave information, such as
the severity of the fire, the damage to the podium, the length of time between
the fire being noted and the arrival of the fire brigade, etc.

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4.
Preliminary Assessment
4.1
An initial assessment of the gas temperature at the time of the fire was required
to determine:
(a) whether structural damage had been resulted; and
(b) whether detailed structural investigation was required.
4.2
Conditions of fittings after fire

Table 1(a) and Table 1(b) list the effect of elevated temperature on and the
ignition temperature of common construction materials. A quick guide was
therefore referenced to the position, the condition, the melting and the charring
of materials (including non-structural materials) (Figure 9). It was noted that
the iron fresh water pipes, steel drain pipes and aluminium air ducts were
unaffected by the fire, and it might be deduced that the maximum temperature at
such locations during the fire was less than 500oC.
Figure 9 Condition of fresh water pipes, drain pipes and air ducts after fire
4.3
Debris and Combusted Materials after Fire

To study the fire severity and scenario of the fire incident, observation on
remaining debris and combusted materials within the affected area is crucial.
Hence, it is important to carry out an initial inspection as soon as the fire
damaged area can be safely entered before the removal of debris. Those
remaining combustible materials (Figure 10) are also a fuel to combustion
process so that the observation can give a general idea how much fire load was
given in this fire incident. In this fire, it was noted that except for those severe
damaged areas with longest duration exposed to the fire, only minimal damage
was observed in most areas. For example, BS trunking was not distorted and
melted, and in some areas, even polystyrene fittings remained intact. Maximum
attainable gas temperature can be simulated by computer program with
estimated the fire load and further assist PSE to study the effect of the fire to
existing structures in detailed assessment.

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Figure 10 Debris and combusted materials after the fire

Table 1(a) Effect of elevated temperatures on
common construction materials
Approximate
temperature
(oC)
100
150
120
120-140
150-180
120
120-140
130-200
250
100
150
200
400-500
200-300
240
250
300-350
350-400
400
420
400
600
650
500-600
800
900
950
900-1000
950-1050
900
900-1000
1000-1100
1100-1200
1150-1250
Substance
Examples
Paint
Polystyrene
Polyethylene
Polymethyl
methacrylate
PVC
Cellulose
wood
Solder lead
Zinc
Aluminium
and alloys
Glass
Silver
Brass
Bronze
Copper
Cast iron
Condition
Deteriorates Destroyed
Thin-wall food
containers, foam, light
shades, handles, curtain
hooks, radio casings
Bags, films, bottles,
buckets, pipes
Handles, covers,
skylights, glazing
Cables, pipes, ducts,
linings, profiles, handles,
knobs, house ware, toys,
bottles
Wood, paper, cotton
Plumber joints,
plumbing, sanitary
installations, toys
Sanitary installations,
gutters, downpipes
Fixtures, casings,
brackets, small
mechanical parts
Glazing, bottles
Jewellery, spoons,
cutlery
Locks, taps, door
handles, clasps
Windows, fittings,
doorbells, ornamentation
Wiring, cables,
ornaments
Radiators, pipes
Collapse
Softens
Melts and flows
Shrivels
Softens and melts
Softens
Bubbles
Degrades
Fumes
Browns
Charring
Darkens
Ignites
Melts
Melts, sharp edges rounded
Drop formation
Drop formations
Melt
Softens
Melts
Drop formation
Softens, sharp edges rounded
Flowing easily,
Viscous
Melts
Drop formation
Melts
Drop formation
Edges rounded
Drop formation
Melts
Melts
Drop formation
(Source: IStructE 2000 and Concrete Society 2008)

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Table 1(b) Ignition temperatures of common construction materials

Ignition
Auto-ignition
Material
temperature (oC)1
temperature (oC)2
Wood
280-310
525
Wool
240
Paper
230
230
Cotton fabrics
230-270
255
Polymethylacrytate (Perspex)
280-300
400-600
Rigid polyurethane foam
310
410
Polyethylene
310
415
Polystyrene
340
350
Polyester (glass-fibre filled)
350-400
480
PVC
390
455
Polyamide
420
425-450
Phenolic resins (glass-fibre filled)
520-540
570-580
Notes:
1
The temperature to which material has to be heated for sustained combustion to be initiated
from a pilot source.
2
The temperature at which the heat evolved by a material decomposing under the influence of
heat is sufficient to bring about combustion without application of an external source of
ignition.
(Source: IStructE 2000)
4.4
Concrete spalling and cracks
4.4.1 Severe concrete spalling was found on some of the slabs, and minor concrete
spalling was also noted on walls and columns (Figure 11). SEBGL-OTH7
summarises detailed information on the causes of concrete spalling during a fire.
There are three common types of spalling, namely: explosive spalling,
aggregate spalling, and corner spalling (Concrete Society 2008)). Explosive
spalling occurs early in the fire (typically within the first 30 minutes) and
proceeds with a series of disruptions, each locally removing layers of shallow
depth. Aggregate spalling also occurring in the early stage, involves the
expansion and decomposition of the aggregate at the concrete surface causing
small pieces of the aggregate flying off the surface. Such type of spalling will
only result in superficial damage. Corner spalling occurs in the later stage of
the fire, and is due to tensile cracks developing at planes of weakness. However,
this type of spalling occurs in the later stage, when the concrete is already
significantly weakened, and will not usually affect structural performance.

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Figure 11 Concrete spalling during fire

4.4.2 One major effect of spalling is that it may significantly reduce or even eliminate
the layer of concrete cover on the reinforcement bars, thereby exposing the
reinforcement to high temperatures, leading to a reduction of strength of the
steel and hence a deterioration of the mechanical properties of the structure as a
whole. In the present case, a few areas of the exposed spalled surfaces were
smoke blackened, indicating on such areas, the reinforcement might have
subjected to direct fire exposure. Detailed investigation of these areas was
therefore warranted. However, in the majority of the spalled areas, the exposed
surfaces were not blackened (Figure 12), suggesting that spalling might have
occurred due to quenching effect by the cold water from firemens hoses. In
addition, moisture content measurement on slab soffit by moisture meter was
carried out and showed that the readings taken are in normal range (Figure 13),
This further eliminates the possibility of the spalling resulted by excessive
moisture content over the concrete surface so that the quenching effect is likely
to be a cause of the extensive spalling.
Figure 12 Exposed concrete surfaces

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Figure 13 Moisture Content Measurement

4.4.3 Besides spalling, surface cracks (Figure 14) appeared on most of the beams
adjacent to the spalled slabs. It is fortunately found that the cracks were only of
a few mm depth, and showed the patterns of the shear stirrups of the beams,
suggesting that they might have been resulted from the thermal expansion of the
stirrups.
Figure 14 Cracks on beams after fire

4.4.4 Based on the observations during the initial site visit, the duration of the fire,
and the extent of damage, especially the extensive concrete spalling on slabs,
the degree of damage at some areas was severe and major structural repair
would be required. It was therefore decided that detailed structural assessment
of the structure was required.

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5.
Detailed Assessment
5.1
A detailed assessment programme was then devised to study the effect of fire to
the structural integrity of the market and to devise the repair proposals.
Moreover, as Tai Shing Market situated underneath Kai Tak Garden, which is
controlled by Buildings Department, the assessment will have to be submitted to
Buildings Department. The main steps of the assessment programme are listed
as follows:
1.
Measurement of the extent of damage
2.
Assessment of maximum temperature during the fire
3.
Computer modelling of the fire and its effect on the structure
4.
Preparation of the assessment report and repair proposals
It was expected that the assessment would take about two months to be
completed after the clearance of the debris from the site. SSE/APB therefore
advised the PSM, which coordinated with FEHD to inform the stall lessees of
the progress of the assessment and repair. Dr Y L WONG of The Hong Kong
Polytechnic University was also engaged to assess the maximum temperature
during the fire, and to prepare the submission to Buildings Department.
5.2
Measurement of extent of damage

FEHD took about one month to clear the site from the debris and to install
necessary temporary props and access platforms to 2/F slabs (Figure 15). SEB
staff then measured the extent of damage, and this information was put onto a
drawing (Figure 16). In order to measure the depth of spalling, automatic selfleveling rotary laser was employed to determine a reference of horizontal level
for measuring the depth of spalling. The laser beam is projected to a measuring
ruler vertically placed at soffit of slab to be measured. Measurement can be
taken from the laser line to the soffit of slab.
Detailed survey on cracks, especially defect location with water seepage was
extensively carried out and recorded on a drawing (Figure 16) for subsequent
repair by grout injection. All defects including cracks and spalling were
recorded on the drawing as a basis for deciding the most appropriate repair
strategy.
Figure 15 Access platforms for measurement

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Figure 16 Measured extent of damage

5.3
Assessment of maximum temperature during fire
5.3.1 Colour of concrete at fire

Concrete is made from aggregate, and its colour changes when subjected to heat.
The change of colour is due to the presence of ferrous components in the
cement paste, coarse and fine aggregate. At above 300oC, a red discolouration is
important as it coincides approximately with the onset of significant strength
loss. However, this change of colour is most pronounced for siliceous
aggregates but not so for granitic aggregates, since the red colour change is a
function of the ferrous content which varies with different types of aggregates.
This modification in colour is permanent: it is therefore possible, on the basis of
the colour of the concrete, to make an approximate assessment of the maximum
attainable temperature and temperature profile reached during the fire. Figure
17 shows the colours of the concrete at different heating temperatures, and
Table 2 provides an overview of the colours of concrete at different temperature
ranges.
Figure 17 Colours of concrete at different heating temperatures

(Source: Hager 2013)
Table 2 Summary of colours of concrete in different temperature ranges
Heating
Colour Description
Temperature
300 to 600C
pink or red
600 to 900C
whitish gray
over 900C
buff
(Source: International Federation for Structural Concrete 2008, Felicetti 2004)
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This means that it is possible to assess maximum attainable temperature of

concrete at the fire by observing the colours of the concrete. Figure 18 shows
that the colour changes gradually from heating face to inner of the concrete. In
practice, any concrete that turns pink is suspicious. A temperature of 300C
corresponds, more or less, to concrete that has lost a permanent part of its
resistance (Concrete Society 2008). A greywhite colour indicates concrete that
is fragile and porous. Furthermore, a permanent distortion of the construction
indicates an overheating of the reinforcement. However, colour changes are
most pronounced for siliceous aggregates and less so for granitic aggregates,
which are predominant in Hong Kong. Also, due consideration should
always given to the possibility that the pink/red colour may be a natural feature
of the aggregate rather than heat-induced (Concrete Society 2008).
Figure 18 Change in colour of concrete heated from the left face

(Source: Short et al 2001)
5.3.2 Petrographic examination
Originally, it was intended to carry out petrographic examination of the concrete
thin sections cut from the core in order to determine the maximum temperature
attained and deduce the depth to which the concrete has been damaged.
However, there is a lack of experts in petrographic examination in Hong Kong,
and Public Works Central Laboratory can only provide interpretation on
petrographic images related to the alkali-aggregate reaction and alkali-silica
reaction. Moreover, it should also be noted that colour changes are most
pronounced for siliceous aggregates and less so for granitic aggregates which
are commonly found in Hong Kong, and as such, such option was not available.
5.3.3 Colour image analysis
5.3.3.1 In order to study the maximum temperature during the fire, Dr Y L WONG of
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University was engaged to develop a baseline
colour chart from a set of control samples obtained from in-situ concretes in
non-fire damaged areas in different elevated temperatures. This set of control
samples was similar to the in-situ damaged concrete in respect of mixing
proportion, concrete grade, age and effects from external environment. A pair

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of concrete slices was heated in different elevated temperatures, e.g. 200C,

300C, 450C, 600C and 800C.
Figure 19 Colours of sliced concrete cores taken

5.3.3.2 A chart (Figure 19) showing colours of the concrete samples in different
temperatures together with colours of the concrete sample at ambient
temperature was established as reference to determine the depth of damage of
the in-situ concrete in fire. In order to minimise the subjective approach of
using visual observation, an objective approach is to use colour description
systems using RGB and HSI colour spaces was tried (Figure 20). RGB colour
space is a system most commonly used in most devices displaying images.
Every colour can be represented by three elements in terms of amounts of Red
(R), Green (G) and Blue (B). It is now also possible to convert the temperature
distribution in a concrete element by using colour image analysis in HSI
colour space. The colour image analysis aims at determining the temperature
of concrete by the change in hue (H) (), saturation (S) (
) and intensity (I) () when concrete is heated. In
order to convert the RGB colour space into HSI colour space, the values of H,
S and I can be calculated mathematically as follows:
1
I (R G B)
3
min{R, G, B}
S 1I
0.5 [(R G) (R B)]
H cos 1 {
}
(R B) 2 (R B)(G B)

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(i) RGB colour space

(ii) HSI colour space
(Source: Blue Lobster Art and Design)
(Source: Black Ice Software)
Figure 20 Colour description systems
5.3.3.3 Lin et al (2004) further carried out colour image analysis on a number of
mortar specimens by using an ordinary digital camera and his own developed
image colour intensity analyser, and obtained the variation of H, S and I of
three primary colours R, G and B (Figure 21) at different elevated
temperatures. They observed that the numerical values of H decrease as
temperature increases, but the variation is not significant. Unlike the results of
Short et al (2001), they observed that S shows a marked increase with
increasingly temperature. I shows little changes in the range 0200C,
decreases with increasing temperatures in the range 200800C, and increases
with temperatures in the range 8001000C. The variation of these three
properties with temperature therefore serves as a useful way to deduce the
temperature gradient across concrete cross section.
Figure 21 Variation of H, S and I with temperature

(Source: Lin et al 2004)
5.3.4 ImageJ, a free Java-based image processing program (available:
rsbweb.nih.gov/ij) developed at the National Institutes of Health in the US,
can be used to carry out the colour image analysis. This program is capable to
analyse 3D live-cell imaging and radiological image by user-written plugins
originally in medical and health care industry. Since the user-written plugins
allow adding special features in this Java-based program, the program has then
been widely applied in other industries to analyse images. By using ImageJ, a
particular location, layer or element of concrete samples can be selected to
analyse the colour properties in respect of R, G, B, H, S and I (Figure 22).
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Figure 22 Colour image analysis using ImageJ

5.3.5 Figure 23(a) plots the variation of R, G, B, H, S and I of the colours of the
concrete sliced samples in different temperatures in the present case.
Unfortunately, the correlation between the colours and temperature cannot be
observed from the colour image analysis results of the samples from this fire.
Trials were carried out to polish the surface of the sliced samples by Public
Works Central Laboratories to see whether better correlation can be observed,
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and Figure 23(b) shows the colours of the polished surfaces. Though the
correlation of the colours and temperature could be improved, it was noted that
the crack densities increase with high temperatures. The relationship of crack
density and temperature may therefore worth further investigation.
Figure 23(a) Results of colour image analysis for fire-damaged concrete

sliced samples at Tai Shing Street Market
Figure 23(b) Colours and cracks in polished sliced concrete samples with
temperature at Tai Shing Street Market

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5.4
Fire Modelling
5.4.1 With the colour image analysis, the maximum temperature at the most severe
fire-damaged areas was estimated. Site visits and measurements also gave
information on the history of and the spread rout of the fire, and the extent of
damage. However, the extent of damage by this fire was quite large, and it was
impractical to determine the maximum temperature of every structural member.
To aid the damage appraisal and the development of a cost-effective repair
schedule, a fire model using CFD method was therefore used to estimate the fire
intensity (gas temperature) and the resultant approximate isothermal surfaces.
Consultation and discussion with Fire Services Department confirmed the
ignition point of and spread route of the fire. Photos taken during the initial
inspection formed vital part in the modelling, as these photos gave rough idea of
the fire load on the spread rout of the fire. The observations during the initial
inspection were very useful in validating the fire model, as the results should
tally with the observations in terms of the spread and the maximum gas
temperature.
5.4.2 A zone model (Figure 24) using CFAST was built, and each compartment was
divided using a system of differential equations that express the conservation of
mass and energy, assuming valid the ideal gas law and defining the density and
the internal energy. Figure 25 shows the results of the fire modelling, which
tallies with the spread route as per the information from Fire Services
Department. Moreover, the maximum fire temperatures predicted by the model
also tally with the damage to the market.

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Figure 24 Zone model for Tai Shing Street Market

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Figure 25 Computer simulation of the fire

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6.
Assessment of Residual Strength
6.1
SEBGL-OTH7 provides detailed information on the residual strength of the

structural materials after the fire. Figure 26 shows the residual strength of
Grade 20 and Grade 30 unstressed concrete upon cooling with the
corresponding changes of its colour. Usually, the residual strength for concrete
exposed to temperatures above 300C (Concrete Society 2008). Figure 27
shows the residual strength of steel reinforcement. The original yield stress of
hot rolled steel bars is almost completely recovered on cooling from
temperatures of 500C to 600C, and on cooling from 800C it is only reduced
by 5%. That means that it may be assumed that there is no loss in residual
strength for hot-rolled steel reinforcement for a temperature up to 600oC
(Concrete Society 2008).
Figure 26(a) Residual strength of

concrete
(Source: Concrete Society 1978)
Figure 26(b) Recommended residual

strength of concrete after a fire
Figure 27(a) Residual strength of steel

reinforcement and prestressing wires
(Source: IStructE 2000)
Figure 27(b) Recommended residual

strength of hot-rolled steel
reinforcement after a fire

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6.1.2 Besides correlating the strength of concrete and steel reinforcement using the
colour image analysis and the computer modelling, tests were carried out to
determine residual strength of concrete and steel reinforcement by respectively
compressive tests on concrete cores from the fire-damaged zone and tensile tests
on steel reinforcement. However, it should be noted that strength tests on cores
suffer a major limitation that they average the strength of concrete throughout
the core, which may contain both damaged and undamaged concrete. Table 3
summarizes the results of these tests.
6.2
Moreover, Schmidt hammer tests on the concrete surface had been carried out.
Though the tests could not provide accurate measurements of the concrete
residual strength, they provided a first, quick monitoring of the severity of the
effect of fire on a concrete structure, and allowed engineers to recognise the
most impaired parts of a member. Furthermore, in the case of concrete
members with thermal gradients, Felicetti (2005) found that the hammer tests at
the heated surface can indicate the average strength of the concrete located at
about 15 to 25 mm depth.

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Table 3 Summary of compressive tests on concrete cores

and tensile tests of steel reinforcement
1. Residual compressive strength of cores from rc slabs
Sample No.
2S2
2S22
2S6
2S10
2S11
2S12
2S28
Mean Diameter (mm)

53.4
53.4
53.9
53.4
54
53.9
53.8
Estimated In-Situ Cube Strength (MPa)

40
41.5
45
36.5
44.5
41.5
29
2. Residual compressive strength of cores from rc beams

Sample No.
2B11
2B12
2B15
2B25
2B26
2B39
Mean Diameter (mm)

79.9
76.4
76.7
76.1
76.4
76.5

24.5
22.5
32
33
28.5
45.5
3. Residual compressive strength of cores from rc walls

Sample No.
W1
W2
W3
W4
Mean Diameter (mm)

76.4
76.4
76.3
76.3

41
50.5
31.5
37.5
4. Residual tensile strength of rebars from rc slabs

Sample No.
2S20
2S14
2S37A
2S37B
2S9
2S13
2S12
2S35
2S25
A01
A02
Yield Strength (MPa)

530
464
540
454
360
440
530
487
510
419
472

Tensile Strength (MPa)

662
621
672
583
539
576
637
645
664
575
656
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Elongation %
23
31
20
25
33
32
25
29
28
28
28

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7.
Structural Appraisal
7.1
Table 3 shows that the average strengths of the cores of rc slabs and beams are
39.7MPa and 31.0MPa respectively, which are greater than the original concrete
strength of 30MPa. The residual concrete strength of fire damaged structures
demonstrates that effect of the fire is minimal to the structural adequacy of
existing structures. The minimum cube strength of 24.5MPa from one
individual sample was then adopted to check the structural adequacy of the
existing concrete slabs and beams within the fire damaged area.
7.2
For corewall and columns within the fire damaged area, an average strength of
40MPa was obtained from samples from the rc core walls, which is slightly
lower than the original design strength of 45MPa. Since concrete core samples
were retrieved from the outer layer of core wall (less than 100mm from
concrete face) on 1/F and the fire effect is usually limited to the surface
zone, the result is expected. Hammer rebound test on all existing structural
elements including rc core wall and columns were also conducted. The results
of all these hammer rebound tests show that the correlated concrete strength is
over 50MPa. Thus, it was concluded that residual concrete strength of lower
than 45MPa was only localised at the surface zone.
7.3
For the selected reinforcement bars, it was found that the average yield strength
is about 473MPa, which is higher than the original strength of 460MPa.
Average measured elongation at the tensile strength of the selected samples of
about 27% shows that the reinforcement after the fire performs more ductile,
compared with 12% specified in BS 4449.
7.4
Assessment of Structural Adequacy

With the establishment of the temperature profile and distribution, and the
strength of the concrete, steel reinforcement and structural steel, calculation was
carried out to assess structural capacity and the need for repairs. Usually,
member design (unless the stability of the structure is in doubt) is adequate.
Calculation using the residual strength was carried out to assess the structural
integrity of the market after the fire. It was concluded that with assumed
concrete strength of 24.5MPa from original strength of 30MPa, the rc beams
and slabs are adequate to support original design imposed load of 10kPa on 2/F,
and that with the assumed concrete strength of 40MPa, the rc corewalls and
columns are capable to sustain original design loads from superstructure. Thus,
no extensive repair work was required for rc columns, walls, and beams. Only
removal of loosen concrete and surface preparation on existing concrete were
required in the repair strategy.

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8.
Repair Proposals
8.1
Given the fact that there were locations with severe damage to the slabs, the
most cost effective solution at these locations should be partial demolition
followed by recast. However, this would seriously affect the continuous
operation of the market on 1/F and G/F, and the podium above. Repair was
therefore adopted. The following information was required:
the extent of breaking out of fire damaged concrete and removal of fire
damaged steel reinforcement;
requirements for preparation of concrete surfaces that are to receive
repair concrete, including special requirements to prevent feathered
edges;
details of new steel reinforcement including lap length and splicing with
original bars, mechanical anchorage, cover etc;
any fabric reinforcement or wire mesh that may be required to hold the
repair concrete in place in the temporary condition, including means of
supporting the fabric/wire mesh and the required concrete cover; and
the thickness and the properties of the repair materials.
8.2
Based on the extent of damage, the following three methods were use to repair
the damaged areas:
(a)
Areas with damage limited to the concrete surface zone: the damaged
concrete removed followed by patch repair by using repair mortar;
(b)
Areas with cracks, where the concrete had been heated up to 500oC:
removal of the damaged surface to a depth of about 15-20mm followed by
spraying (Figure 28);
(c)
Areas with extensive cracks or concrete spalling, where the concrete

might have been heated up to 700oC: all damaged and/or loose concrete
removed followed by spraying with local thickening (Figure 29).
Additional steel reinforcement had been provided to the thickened slabs so
as to increase its structural capacity.
To provide the required key of the repair material to the existing concrete, all
concrete surfaces after removal of damaged concrete should be roughened.
Appendix C shows the details of the above repair proposals. Figure 30 shows
the repaired soffits with BS installed.

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Figure 28 Spraying of concrete
Figure 28 Completed repaired areas before BS installation
Figure 30 Completed repaired soffits of 2/F slabs

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9.
Concluding Remark
Reinforced concrete structures have a very good fire resistance. Fire-damaged
concrete members can therefore be repaired by inexpensive repair methods.
This paper has demonstrated the procedures to assess the damage and the
residual load carrying capacity by combining site inspections, investigations,
testing combined with computer simulation and design calculation for a fire
damaged structure at Tai Shing Street Market.
References
Felicetti, R (2005), TR 1/05: New NDT Techniques for the Assessment of Fire
Damaged RC Structures (Milano: Politecnico di Milano).
Concrete Society (1978), TR 15: Assessment of fire-damaged concrete
structures and repair by gunite (Camberley: Concrete Society).
Concrete Society (2008), TR 68: Assessment, design and repair of fire-damaged
concrete structure (Camberley: Concrete Society).
Felicetti, R (2004), Digital-camera colorimetry for the assessment of firedamaged concrete, Proceedings of the Workshop: Fire Design of Concrete
Structures, Milan, 2-3 December 2004, pp. 21120.
Hager, I (2013), Colour Change in Heated Concrete, Fire Technology, 49, pp.
1-14.
IStructE (2000), Appraisal of existing structures (London: IStructE, 3rd ed.).
Gosain, N K, Drexler, R E and Choudhuri, D (2008), Evaluation and repair of
fire-damaged buildings, Structure Magazine, September, pp. 18-22.
Lin, D F, Wang, H Y and Luo, H L (2004), Assessment of fire-damaged
mortar using digital image process, Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering,
16(4), pp. 383-6.
Short, N R, Purkiss, J A and Guise, S E (2001), Assessment of fire damaged
concrete using colour image analysis, Construction and Building Materials,
15(1), pp. 9-15.

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Appendix A
Architectural Layout of Kai Tak Garden Phase I

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Basement Plan

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G/F Plan

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1/F Plan

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2/F (Podium) Plan

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3/F (Transfer Floor) Plan

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Typical Floor Plan

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Appendix B
Structural Framing Plans of Kai Tak Garden Phase I

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Basement Framing Plan

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G/F Framing Plan

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1/F Framing Plan

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2/F (Podium) Framing Plan

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3/F (Transfer Floor) Framing Plan

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Appendix C
Drawings for Repair Works

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Assessment and Repair of Fire-Damaged Structures: Case Study of Tai Shing Street Market

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Assessment and Repair of Fire-Damaged Structures:

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING BRANCH

Structural Engineering Branch, ArchSD

File code : FireAssessment

The Site ........................................................................................................................ 2

Initial Site Visit and Preliminary Inspections .............................................................. 5

Preliminary Assessment ............................................................................................... 6

Detailed Assessment .................................................................................................. 11

Assessment of Residual Strength ............................................................................... 21

Structural Appraisal ................................................................................................... 24

Repair Proposals ........................................................................................................ 25

Concluding Remark ................................................................................................... 27

Architectural Layout of Kai Tak Garden Phase I

Structural Framing Plans of Kai Tak Garden Phase I

Drawings for Repair Works

Copyright and Disclaimer of Liability

Structural Engineering Branch, ArchSD

File code : FireAssessment

(Source: 22 April 2013, Ta Kung Pao)

Figure 2 Damage to external faade after the fire

Structural Engineering Branch, ArchSD

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SEB had promulgated SEBGL-OTH7 Guidelines on Structural Fire Engineering

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Figure 4 Location plan of Tai Shing Street Market

Figure 5 View of Kai Tak Garden from the junction of

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Figure 6 Podium Garden of Kai Tak Garden

Figure 7 Section across compound of Kai Tak Garden

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Initial Site Visit and Preliminary Inspections

Figure 8 Conditions of building after the fire

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Conditions of fittings after fire

Debris and Combusted Materials after Fire

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Figure 10 Debris and combusted materials after the fire

(Source: IStructE 2000 and Concrete Society 2008)

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Table 1(b) Ignition temperatures of common construction materials

(Source: IStructE 2000)

Concrete spalling and cracks

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Figure 11 Concrete spalling during fire

Figure 12 Exposed concrete surfaces

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Figure 13 Moisture Content Measurement

Figure 14 Cracks on beams after fire

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Measurement of extent of damage

Figure 15 Access platforms for measurement

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Figure 16 Measured extent of damage

Assessment of maximum temperature during fire

5.3.1 Colour of concrete at fire