TECHNICAL PAPERS
Feb 1, 1991

Flexure and Shear Behavior of Concrete Beams during Fires

Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 117, Issue 2

Abstract

This paper describes the results of a research program to study the behavior of reinforced concrete beams exposed to severe fires. Data are presented from fire tests of six full‐scale beams continuous over one support that were fabricated using normal‐weight concrete. Four beams were exposed to the standard ASTM El19 fire, and two to a short‐duration high‐intensity (SDHI) fire developed using realistic fire‐load and compartment‐ventilation parameters. All six beams developed significant shear cracks near the continuous support rather early in the fire, but eventually failed from excessive flexural cracking and deformation. Mathematical models for predicting thermal and structural response of concrete beams exposed to natural fires, as well as the ASTM standard exposure, were also developed. These models predicted the experimental behavior with sufficient accuracy for purposes of limit‐states design.

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Published In

Go to Journal of Structural Engineering
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 117Issue 2February 1991
Pages: 440 - 458

History

Published online: Feb 1, 1991
Published in print: Feb 1991

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Authors

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Bruce Ellingwood
Prof. of Civ. Engrg., and Chmn., Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD 21218
T. D. Lin, Members, ASCE
Prin. Res. Engr., Constr. Tech. Lab., Div. of Portland Cement Assoc., Skokie, IL 60077

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