Simulation of the Behavior of Open Steel-Framed Structures under Fire

The development of fire standards that lead to safe and economical construction does not happen by chance. It is actually a complex process that requires a thorough understanding of the physical nature of fire and how it affects the behavior of structural systems. One way to do this is to conduct experimental research on full-scale or model systems and learn from their results. Although this can and has been done, it is, nevertheless, quite an onerous endeavor. This paper presents a methodology to simulate the behavior of an open steel frame (such as a parking structure) under the effect of fire using a specially designed computer tool. Upon definition of the geometry of the frame and location and intensity of the fire by the user, the spreadsheet based program evaluates the variations in temperature and their effects on the properties of the material using a constant time increment. Structural displacements are then computed and graphically presented.