Leveraging artificial intelligence to assess explosive spalling in fire-exposed RC columns

Concrete undergoes a series of thermo-based physio-chemical changes once exposed to elevated temperatures. Such changes adversely alter the composition of concrete and oftentimes lead to fire-induced explosive spalling. Spalling is a multidimensional, complex and most of all sophisticated phenomenon with the potential to cause significant damage to fire-exposed concrete structures. Despite past and recent research efforts, we continue to be short of a systematic methodology that is able of accurately assessing the tendency of concrete to spall under fire conditions. In order to bridge this knowledge gap, this study explores integrating novel artificial intelligence (AI) techniques; namely, artificial neural network (ANN), adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and genetic algorithm (GA), together with traditional statistical analysis (multilinear regression (MLR)), to arrive at state-of-the-art procedures to predict occurrence of fire-induced spalling. Through a comprehensive datadriven examination of actual fire tests, this study demonstrates that AI techniques provide attractive tools capable of predicting fire-induced spalling phenomenon with high precision.