Venkatesh Kodur

Performance-based fire resistance design of concrete-filled steel columns

A simplified design equation for evaluating the fire resistance of concrete-filled circular and square hollow structural steel (HSS) columns is presented. The equation is expressed in terms of various structural design parameters affecting the fire resistance, and hence can easily be integrated into conventional structural design. This equation can be used to evaluate the fire resistance of HSS columns filled with various types of concrete filling. The use of the design equation greatly facilitates the calculation of the fire resistance of structural members on a performance basis. It also enables the designer to find cost-effective solutions in providing the required fire resistance performance for structural members, simply by varying the parameters of the members. The applicability of the proposed equation to a design situation is illustrated through a numerical example. Practical guidelines that can be implemented during the design and construction phase, and which have beneficial effects on the fire resistance behaviour concrete-filled of hollow steel columns, are also presented.

Predicting the fire resistance behaviour of high strength concrete columns

Abstract A numerical model, in the form of a computer program, for tracing the behaviour of high performance concrete (HPC) columns exposed to fire is presented. The three stages, associated with the thermal and structural analysis, for the calculation of fire resistance of columns are explained. A simplified approach is proposed to account for spalling under fire conditions. The use of the computer program for tracing the response of an HPC column from the initial pre-loading stage to collapse, due to fire, is demonstrated. The validity of the numerical model used in the program is established by comparing the predictions from the computer program with results from full-scale fire resistance tests. Details of fire resistance experiments carried out on HPC columns, together with results, are presented. The computer program can be used to predict the fire resistance of HPC columns for any value of the significant parameters, such as load, section dimensions, fiber reinforcement, column length, concrete strength, aggregate type, and fiber reinforcement.

High-Temperature Properties of Steel for Fire Resistance Modeling of Structures

Fire is one of the most severe conditions to which structures can be subjected, and hence, the provision of appropriate fire safety measures for structural members is an important aspect of design. The recent introduction of performance-based codes has increased the use of computer-based models for fire resistance assessment. For evaluating the fire resistance of steel structures, high-temperature properties of steel are to be specified as input data. This paper reviews high-temperature constitutive relationships for steel currently available in American and European standards, and highlights the variation between these relationships through comparison with published experimental results. The effect of various constitutive models on overall fire resistance predictions is illustrated through case studies. It is also shown that high-temperature creep, which is not often included in constitutive models, has a significant influence on the fire response of steel structures. Results from the case studies are used to draw recommendations on the use of appropriate constitutive models for fire resistance assessment.

Fire Endurance of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Strengthened Concrete T-Beams

Understanding the performance of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP)-strengthened members in fire is critical to the widespread application of FRPs as repair materials for infrastructure. An investigation was undertaken to examine and document the performance of FRP-strengthened reinforced concrete T-beams under standard fire conditions. Two full-scale reinforced concrete T-beams were strengthened in flexure with FRP sheets and insulated with a patented two-component fire insulation system. The specimens were subsequently exposed to a standard fire under full sustained service load. Member deflections, strain in the steel reinforcement, and temperatures throughout the section were measured and recorded throughout the tests. A numerical heat transfer model was used to predict temperatures within the section at any time during the fire. The predicted temperatures are compared with those observed during the fire tests and are shown to agree satisfactorily. The results indicate that appropriately designed and insulated FRP-strengthened reinforced concrete T-beams can achieve fire endurances of more than 4 hours.

Properties of Concrete at Elevated Temperatures

Fire response of concrete structural members is dependent on the thermal, mechanical, and deformation properties of concrete. These properties vary significantly with temperature and also depend on the composition and characteristics of concrete batch mix as well as heating rate and other environmental conditions. In this chapter, the key characteristics of concrete are outlined. The various properties that influence fire resistance performance, together with the role of these properties on fire resistance, are discussed. The variation of thermal, mechanical, deformation, and spalling properties with temperature for different types of concrete are presented.

Spalling in High Strength Concrete Exposed to Fire - Concerns, Causes, Critical Parameters and Cures

The increased use of high strength concrete (HSC) in buildings has raised concerns regarding the behaviour of such concrete in fire. Spalling at elevated temperatures and the resulting reduction in fire resistance is of particular concern. In this paper, the various issues relating to spalling and its impact on fire resistance are discussed. The spalling phenomenon and its main causes in HSC are presented. This includes the critical parameters that influence spalling in HSC under fire conditions. Design solutions (cures) to minimize spalling in HSC structural members are presented.

Performance-based Fire Safety Design of Reinforced Concrete Beams

A numerical model, in the form of a computer program, is presented for tracing the fire behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams over the entire range of loading from pre-fire conditions to collapse under fire. The three stages associated with the analysis of fire resistance; namely, establishing the fire temperature-time development, calculating the heat transfer through the structure from the fire, and the structural analysis are explained. The model, which accounts for nonlinear material properties at elevated temperatures, is capable of predicting the fire resistance of RC beams under realistic fire scenarios, load levels, and failure criteria. The validity of the numerical model is established by comparing the predictions from the computer program with results from full-scale fire resistance tests. Through the results of numerical study, it is shown that the type of failure criterion, load level, and fire scenario have significant influence on fire resistance of RC beams. The computer program can be used to undertake performance-based fire safety design of RC beams for any value of the significant parameters, such as fire exposure, concrete cover thickness, section dimensions, concrete strength, concrete type, and load intensity.

Fire Endurance of High Strength Concrete Columns

In buildings, fire represents one of the most severe environmental conditions, and therefore, should be properly accounted for in the design of high strength concrete (HSC) structural members. The increased use of HSC in buildings has raised concerns regarding the behavior of such concrete in fire. In particular, spalling at elevated temperatures, as identified in studies by a number of laboratories, is a main concern.In this paper, results from an experimental program on the fire resistance of HSC columns are presented. The factors that influence the thermal and structural behavior of HSC concrete columns under fire conditions are discussed. Data from this study indicate that the type of aggregate, concrete strength, load intensity, and detailing and spacing of ties have an influence on the fire resistance performance of HSC columns. Further, the test results show that tie configuration (bending of ties at 135°, ties and provision of cross ties) and closer tie spacing has a significantly beneficial effect on the fire resistance of HSC columns. The results presented will generate data on the fire resistance of HSC columns, and contribute to identifying the factors that influence the behavior of HSC columns.

Review of post-earthquake fire hazard to building structures

Fire following an earthquake is an important factor causing damage to buildings and life-line structures. Therefore, besides satisfying structural design requirements for normal loads, such as dead and live loads including the seismic hazard, buildings should also be designed to withstand the fire following earthquakes for a certain minimum duration as required for a desired level of performance. This period of time will allow occupants to evacuate the building safely and the emergency crews to cope with the fire. Also, it is essential to reduce the post-earthquake fire (PEF) ignitions and minimize the damage to active fire protection systems as much as possible to prevent the spread of fire. This paper presents a state-of-the-art review on the PEF hazard and discusses the causes, mitigation measures, and performance of building structures under this hazard. Mitigation measures that could be developed based on the experience from the structural engineering field are identified. Both local and global appro...

High-Temperature Properties of Concrete for Fire Resistance Modeling of Structures

Fire is one of the most severe conditions to which structures can be subjected, and hence, the provision of appropriate fire safety measures for structural members is an important aspect of design. The recent introduction of performance-based codes has increased the use of computer-based models for fire resistance assessment. For evaluating the fire resistance of steel structures, high- temperature properties of steel are to be specified as input data. This paper reviews high-temperature constitutive relationships for steel currently available in American and European standards, and highlights the variation between these relationships through comparison with published experimental results. The effect of various constitutive models on overall fire resistance predictions is illustrated through case studies. It is also shown that high-temperature creep, which is not often included in constitutive models, has a significant influence on the fire response of steel structures. Results from the case studies are used to draw recommendations on the use of appropriate constitutive models for fire resistance assessment. DOI: 10.1061/ASCEMT.1943-5533.0000041 CE Database subject headings: Constitutive relations; Fire resistance; Temperature effects; Steel structures. Author keywords: Performance-based design; Fire resistance; Constitutive relationships; High-temperature properties; Structural steel.