Atkinson, Victor2023-01-182023-01-182022https://hdl.handle.net/10539/34139A research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021This study investigates the decoupled moment capacity and behaviour of precast masonry lintel beam specimens. The review firstly explores the suitability of partial fire testing to obtain the decoupled moment capacity of beam specimens. Secondly, a low-cost furnace is developed and built that allows for the SANS 10177-2 ‘standard time temperature curve’ to be achieved for 90 minutes. Lastly, fire tests are conducted on three full scale masonry composite concrete lintel specimens by exposing 60% of the clear span about the centre of the element to fire. The best linear regression error between the linearized furnace temperature test results and the standard time temperature curve is calculated to be 3.18% between gradients. It is concluded that the developed furnace can be used to yield the standard time temperature curve and can allow for the testing of horizontal specimens. The results found that fire testing caused delamination between concrete lintels and brickwork and that the specimens no longer behave compositely.enThesis