Analytical Methods to Evaluate Fire Resistance of Structural Members
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 125, Issue 10
Abstract
Engineering standards will need to be developed to outline analysis methods to support performance-based codes being developed in the United States. This paper provides an overview of the state-of-the-art engineering methods for structural fire protection applications that could be incorporated into such an engineering standard. The overview addresses the technical basis, applicability, and utility of a representative sample of available calculation methods. These methods apply to a wide variety of structural members comprised of concrete, masonry, steel, and timber. An analytical assessment of fire resistance includes four principal aspects: fire exposure, material effects, thermal response, and structural response. A description of the fire exposure focuses on the heating conditions associated with the exposure. Material effects include material properties as a function of temperature along with physical or chemical effects of the elevated temperature exposure. Analyzing the thermal response results in determining the temperature profile within the exposed structural member. The ability of the structural member to support a load despite the effects of the fire exposure are incorporated in the analysis of structural response.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 125 • Issue 10 • October 1999
Pages: 1179 - 1187
History
Received: Mar 25, 1999
Published online: Oct 1, 1999
Published in print: Oct 1999
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