Postfire Seismic Responses of High-Strength RC Columns: Experiments and Simulations
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 150, Issue 10
Abstract
Significant research has been conducted in the field of high-strength RC. This body of work encompasses a wide range of topics from material behavior to seismic performance, which has been instrumental in shaping design codes for high-strength RC structures. However, a notable gap remains in understanding the postfire seismic behavior of high-strength RC members. This study addressed this gap by conducting experimental tests to explore the seismic behavior of high-strength RC columns after fire exposure. The experimental program subjected column specimens to both fire exposure and cyclic loading tests, with key variables including varying concrete strengths and a standard 2-h fire exposure. This study extensively analyzed the impact of fire exposure on seismic performance, focusing on temperature gradients, damage patterns, load-displacement hysteresis responses, displacement composition, and plastic region length. The results indicated that fire exposure caused more significant structural degradation in high-strength concrete (HSC) columns compared with normal-strength concrete (NSC) columns. Specifically, fire exposure moderately reduced the peak strength of NSC and HSC columns by 8% and 12%, respectively, and significantly decreased their initial stiffness by 48% and 55%, respectively. Despite considerable spalling in the cover concrete of the HSC column, the core concrete and longitudinal reinforcement remained largely intact, effectively sustaining the postpeak behavior under cyclic loading. Complementing the experimental work, the study also proposed suitable computational models to simulate the postfire seismic responses of NSC and HSC columns. These models aim to enhance the predictive understanding of structural behavior in postfire scenarios, contributing valuable insights for the design and assessment of fire-affected RC structures.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
This study was partially sponsored by the Architecture and Building Research Institute and the National Science and Technology Council under Grant No. 110-2636-E-006-020. The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this paper are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsoring agencies.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 150 • Issue 10 • October 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 31, 2024
Accepted: May 10, 2024
Published online: Jul 27, 2024
Published in print: Oct 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Dec 27, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Columns
- Concrete
- Concrete columns
- Concrete structures
- Disaster risk management
- Disasters and hazards
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering materials (by type)
- Fires
- High-strength concrete
- Man-made disasters
- Materials engineering
- Reinforced concrete
- Seismic tests
- Structural behavior
- Structural engineering
- Structural members
- Structural systems
- Structures (by type)
- Tests (by type)
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