Advancing fire safety in buildings: performance evaluation of conventional, 3D‑printed and agro-industrial waste-based concrete

The incidence of building fires has increased significantly due to increase in high-rise structures, the extensive use of electrical equipment etc. Investigating the fire resistance of building materials is critical for mitigating such risks and ensuring safety. Innovative construction materials, including 3D-printed concrete (3DCP) and agro-industrial waste-enhanced 3DCP (3DCP-AIW), are gaining widespread acceptance in high-rise construction. Understanding their fire behavior is essential. This study focuses on thermal behavior at ambient and at different elevated temperatures (upto 550 °C) as well as fire behavior at elevated temperatures from 100°C to 800°C. Additionally, the research evaluates the mechanical properties and performance of non-destructive testing (NDT) of these fire‑exposed specimens. Further, based on the residual compressive strength at elevated temperature, best‑fit models for different grades of concrete were proposed. By analyzing the thermal, fire, mechanical and NDT behavior of these innovative concretes, the study provides critical insights into enhancing fire safety in buildings.