This　paper　describes　a　new　method　for　accurately　determining　the　highest　temperature　experienced　by　fire-damaged　concrete　by　measuring　acoustic　decrepitation　of　fluid　inclusion　in　natural　quartz　sand　contained　in　the　concrete.　Based　on　the　experimental　research　on　natural　sand　used　for　building　from　different　regions　in　China,　the　authors　demonstrated　that　large　amounts　of　fluid　inclusions　exist　in　natural　quartz　sand　and　that　the　decrepitation　of　inclusions　during　heating　are　irretrievable.　Furthermore,　the　decrepitation　temperatures　are　material　characteristics　not　affected　by　heating.　Some　engineering　applications　have　demonstrated　that　this　method　is　an　effective　and　convenient　technique　for　determining　the　highest　temperature　experienced　by　fire-damaged　concrete.　(C)　2011　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.