title: Properties of Concrete: Fourth and Final Edition
author: Adam M. Neville
description: Since its first publication in 1963, Properties of Concrete has been internationally acclaimed as the definitive work of reference on the subject for both the professional and student engineer. The fourth edition has been completely rewritten and updated to reflect advances in concrete technology over the past decade, yet it still retains the original aim of Professor Nevilles book: to provide reliable, comprehensive and practical information on the properties and use of concrete, and the selection of mix proportions, all based on scientific observations and the authors extensive engineering experience. The emphasis throughout is on understanding the behaviour of concrete and relating it to physical and chemical phenomena involved in the performance of the material in service. The overall effect is to give an integrated view of the properties of concrete so as to enable the reader to achieve the best possible construction in concrete. In addition, the scientific basis of the information provided is invaluable in planning research and in the interpretation of test results.
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  INTRODUCTION
  The performance of building materials under fire exposure is of
  significant importance. One phenomenon that must be considered during
  fire is the risk of explosive spalling, which may cause much of the concrete
  cover to disappear leaving the reinforcing bars directly exposed to fire. This
  may happen in a very short time in parts or in all of the structure. Prestressed
  concrete structures with thin webs are more liable to spalling and explo-
  sions, and may collapse suddenly. Therefore, it is of great importance to
  diminish or overcome this problem. The design of the concrete mixture
  itself directly influences the risk of spalling at high temperature. During
  fire, the water in concrete transforms to steam. If the pore system of concrete
  is not sufficient to transport this steam, a pressure builds up and causes
  spalling of concrete. The other cause is the thermal expansion of the
  aggregates used. Thus, the fire endurance is related to the pore structure of
  concret