Fire tests on bonded post-tensioned concrete slabs

The results from eight fire tests conducted on bonded post-tensioned one-way spanning concrete slabs are presented in this paper. The fire tests were augmented with two additional tests at ambient temperature, carried out to failure on slabs with identical geometry and prestressing tendons. The different structural response between using plastic and metallic ducts, Limestone and Thames Gravel aggregates, and different axial restraint conditions to longitudinal thermal expansion, have been highlighted. Slabs with Thames Gravel aggregates were shown to have a much higher deflection compared to slabs with Limestone aggregates, with restrained slabs having a lower vertical deflection compared to equivalent unrestrained slabs. In all the fire tests, cracks directly inline and parallel to the tendons occurred due to thermal stresses at relatively low tendon temperatures, which were not observed in the ambient tests. It is shown that the use of plastic ducts resulted in slightly higher tendon temperatures due to the ease at which water migrated from the grout once the duct had melted. The fire tests have shown that the fire resistance specified in current codes of practice are generally conservative for bonded post-tensioned one-way spanning concrete slabs. The tests have provided detailed experimental data in the form of temperature distributions within the slab, vertical and horizontal displacements and strains in the tendons, which will allow validation of future computer models to predict the behaviour of bonded post-tensioned concrete slabs under fire conditions.     

Modelling of unbonded post-tensioned concrete slabs under fire conditions

This paper investigates the structural behaviour of unbonded post-tensioned one-way spanning concrete slabs in fire conditions. The slabs were simply supported and reinforced with 15.7 mm nominal diameter seven-wire mono-strand tendons. A nonlinear finite element model for the analysis of post-tensioned unbonded concrete slabs at elevated temperatures was developed. The mechanical and thermal material nonlinearities of the concrete, prestressing tendon and anchorages have been carefully inserted into the model. The interface between the tendon and surrounding concrete was also modelled, allowing the tendon to retain its profile shape during the deformation of the slab. The temperature distribution throughout the slab, time–deflection behaviour, time–longitudinal expansion, time–stress behaviour in the tendon, and the failure modes were predicted by the model and verified against test data. The study has shown that the coefficients of thermal expansion currently used in the European Code for calcareous and siliceous concrete can lead to inaccurate predictions of the structural behaviour. A parametric study was conducted to investigate the effects on the global structural behaviour due to the change in the aggregate type, load ratio and boundary conditions. It was shown that by varying the boundary conditions the fire resistance was greatly affected. Although changing the aggregate type and load ratio affected the time-displacement response, the fire resistance defined by failure of the slab was not affected due to the splitting mode of failure above the tendon locations not being affected by these parameters. Comparison with the codes shows that the UK code BS8110 is generally unconservative, whereas the Eurocode EN1992-1-2 provides reasonable design rules.     

Structural performance of a post-tensioned concrete floor during horizontally travelling fires

This paper highlights the structural performance of a bonded post-tensioned concrete floor subject to fires that travel horizontally between zones within the floorplate. The floorplate was previously analysed by the authors based on experimental and numerical investigations on one-way spanning bonded post-tensioned concrete slab strips. In the previous studies, a nonlinear finite element model was developed for the floor that considered the mechanical and thermal material nonlinearities of the floor’s components, interfaces between the components, different natural fire severities, different applied static load during the fire and different restraint conditions. The previous studies highlighted the importance of investigating the whole-building behaviour and provided a useful insight into the temperature distribution throughout the floor slab, failure modes, comparisons with current design rules and time-displacement behaviour of the floor under fire conditions. This paper extends the previous studies and uses the validated finite element model to investigate different horizontal travelling fire scenarios between zones and different inter-zone time delays to represent fire travelling time. The time-temperature distribution throughout the floor slab was predicted at different locations in the floor subject to travelling fires. Furthermore, the time-deflection and time-axial displacement relationships were predicted at different locations in the floor. The current study has shown that horizontally travelling fire scenarios and the inter-zone time delay affect the time-deflection behaviour considerably. The change in heating/cooling scenarios between zones has resulted in a cyclic deflection pattern, which has previously not been considered when designing post-tensioned concrete floors against fire. Based on the analysis of the results presented, it is shown that the worst case in terms of maximum vertical defection or maximum residual deflection, at a given point in the floorplate, could occur either under the assumption of a uniform fire or a travelling fire. It is therefore recommended that designers should consider the integrity of floorplates using various travelling fires.     

Transient high-temperature stress relaxation of prestressing tendons in unbonded construction

Unbonded post-tensioned (UPT) flat plate concrete slabs are popular for modern continuous multiple bay floor assemblies due to economic and sustainability benefits (reductions in slab thickness and building self-weight) and structural advantages (decreased deflections over larger spans). Only limited research has been conducted on the performance of UPT flat plate slabs under fire conditions, yet the inherent fire endurance of these systems is sometimes quoted as a benefit of this type of construction. One concern for these structures in fire is that high-temperature stress relaxation of the unbonded prestressed reinforcement may cause considerable and irrecoverable prestress loss, with subsequent structural consequences. This paper uses a computational model which has been developed to predict the transient high-temperature stress relaxation (i.e., prestress loss) for typical UPT multiple span flat plate slabs in fire, to study the potential prestress relaxation behaviour under various plausible temperature conditions as might occur during exposure to a standard fire. The model is validated using experimental data from relaxation tests performed on locally heated unbonded seven-wire prestressing stand. The initial prestress level, concrete cover to the prestressed reinforcement, and ratio of heated length to overall tendon length are varied to investigate the potential implications for prestress loss, and subsequently for flexural and punching shear capacity. The results highlight the need for particular care in the construction of UPT slabs to ensure adequate concrete cover for structural fire safety.     

无粘结预应力井式梁板悬挂技术夹层升板结构

本文介绍一种新的结构体系——无粘结预应力井式梁板、悬挂技术夹层升板结构。井式梁板中靠近柱子的主梁为无粘结预应力连续双梁,次梁为非预应力连续梁,技术夹层为厚8厘米的钢筋混凝土平板,用钢吊杆悬挂于井式梁的交点下,并与井式梁楼板一同提升。 本文主要结合具体工程——无锡第一棉纺织厂介绍这一体系的设计和施工方法。     

Modelling of heated composite floor slabs with reference to the Cardington experiments

This paper describes a method of modelling composite floor slabs in fire conditions using a stress-resultant approach. The FEAST suite, which consists of two main computer programs is described. The first, SRAS, is designed to model the behaviour of arbitrary orthotropic plate sections at elevated temperatures. The second program, FEAI, interfaces with the finite element package ABAQUS, allowing realistic models of the behaviour of whole structures in fire conditions to be obtained. The paper describes how SRAS was used to analyse the floor slab of the Cardington fire tests and results showing the behaviour of the slab under a variety of loading conditions are presented. The suitability of FEAI as a key component in the analysis of redundant structures under fire conditions is briefly demonstrated.     

Injizieren von Spanngliedern mit nachträglichem Verbund mit Einpressmörtel – Ein Erfahrungsbericht

Grouting of post-tensioned structural concrete constructions – a progress report. The high quality of the grouting of tendons of post tensioning systems is very important for the durability of post-tensioned concrete constructions. Damages on buildings and constructions showed that in many cases partly or even unfilled tendons with grout are responsible for expansive rehabilitation work. This is one of the main reasons that the production of grout on-site and the grouting of tendons of post tensioning systems itself has to be inspected by an independent inspection body in Germany since six years. In this paper the experience during the first six years of inspection work will be presented. Based on the gathered experience further recommendations will be given to improve the production of grout and the grouting on-site to receive a better quality of grouting with the aim to get save and durable post-tensioned structural concrete constructions in the future.     

The behaviour of reinforced concrete slabs in fire

In this paper a robust model is presented based on the previous layer procedure developed by the author to also take into account the effects of concrete spalling on the behaviour of concrete slabs under fire conditions. In this study, a detailed analysis of a uniformly loaded reinforced concrete slab subject to different degrees of concrete spalling under a standard fire regime is first carried out. Further, a series of analysis of floor slabs with different degrees of concrete spalling is also performed on a generic reinforced concrete building. A total of 16 cases have been analysed using different degrees of spalling on the slabs, with different extents and positions of localised fire compartments. It is clear that adjacent cool structures provide considerable thermal restraint to the floor slabs within the fire compartment. And it is evident that the compressive membrane force within the slabs is a major player in reducing the impact of concrete spalling on the structural behaviour of floor slabs in fire.     

Nonlinear behaviour of unprotected composite slim floor steel beams exposed to different fire conditions

An efficient nonlinear 3D finite element model has been developed to investigate the structural performance of composite slim floor steel beams with deep profiled steel decking under fire conditions. The composite steel beams were unprotected simply supported with different cross-sectional dimensions, structural steel sections, load ratios during fire and were subjected to different fire scenarios. The nonlinear material properties of steel, composite slim concrete floor and reinforcement bars were incorporated in the model at ambient and elevated temperatures. The interface between the structural steel section and composite slim concrete floor was also considered, allowing the bond behaviour to be modelled and the different components to retain its profile during the deformation of the composite beam. Furthermore the thermal properties of the interface were included in the finite element analysis. The finite element model has been validated against published fire tests on unprotected composite slim floor steel beams. The time–temperature relationships, deformed shapes at failure, time–vertical displacement relationships, failure modes and fire resistances of the composite steel beams were evaluated by the finite element model. Comparisons between predicted behaviour and that recorded in fire tests have shown that the finite element model can accurately predict the behaviour of the composite steel beams under fire conditions. Furthermore, the variables that influence the fire resistance and behaviour of the unprotected composite slim floor steel beams, comprising different load ratios during fire, cross-section geometries, beam length and fire scenarios, were investigated in parametric studies. It is shown that the failure of the composite beams under fire conditions occurred for the standard fire curve, but did not occur for the natural fires. The use of high strength structural steel considerably limited the vertical displacements after fire exposure. It is also shown that presence of additional top reinforcement mesh is necessary for composite beams exposed to short hot natural fires. The fire resistances of the composite beams obtained from the finite element analyses were compared with the design values obtained from the Eurocode 4 for composite beams at elevated temperatures. It is shown that the EC4 predictions are generally conservative for the design of composite slim floor steel beams heated using different fire scenarios.     

Detection and evaluation of failures in high-strength tendon of prestressed concrete bridges by acoustic emission

Failures in high-strength steel tendons of prestressed concrete structures are becoming a serious problem, as the deterioration of structures progresses due to aging. The failure is mainly attributed to the corrosion induced in severe environment as salt attack. Intensive studies were made in a laboratory and fields to investigate an applicability of acoustic emission (AE) technique to detect and locate the corrosion-induced failure. Three types of beams post-tensioned by steel bar, strand, and parallel wire cable with three different grout conditions (unbonded, partially grouted and fully grouted) were prepared in the laboratory tests. Failure was introduced by artificial corrosion, charging anodic current to the tendon. It was found that significant AE signals with extremely high amplitudes were produced by failures of steel wires and bars. Linear source location of the events was performed by three AE sensors placed in the center and the two ends of the beams. Reliability was shown to be 82–86% in terms of delectability of the failures. Continuous AE monitoring was carried out in two high-way bridges in service for 24 days. Eighteen AE sensors were placed at strategically selected positions on the post-tensioned beams of these bridges. Artificial AE signals were indirectly detected from the beams due to artificial failures by corrosion in small post-tensioned specimens bonded to the beams. Intensive analysis of the detected AE signals showed that meaningful AE events from the failures are clearly discernable from other sources as traffic noises and hammering. It has been proven that AE is a very useful technique to detect and evaluate failures of high-strength steel tendons in prestressed concrete bridges.     

预应力现浇混凝土管式空心楼盖承载性能试验研究

为研究无黏结预应力现浇混凝土管式空心楼盖的受力性能,制作了一个1/4缩尺比例的无黏结预应力现浇混凝土管式空心板柱结构试验模型,通过在试验模型管式空心楼盖上施加竖向均布荷载的试验表明,该楼盖结构具有一定的承载能力,在荷载作用下各区格板发生竖向位移后,表现形状为"碗形",最大挠度发生在管式空心楼盖各区格板的跨中。有限元计算分析结果进一步说明,无黏结预应力现浇混凝土管式空心楼盖由于空心管的平行布置而呈现正交各向异性,在平行布管方向,楼板的连续性遭到破坏,楼板刚度削弱程度较大。在平行布管方向和垂直布管方向,无黏结预应力管式空心楼盖的变形仍可按连续板跨考虑。     

型钢混凝土框架结构耐火性能有限元分析

为了研究型钢混凝土框架整体结构的耐火性能,为其抗火设计提供参考,采用受火楼层建立精细化有限元计算模型、非受火楼层建立梁单元计算模型的方法,建立了型钢混凝土框架整体结构的耐火性能计算模型。考虑火灾位置、荷载分布形式、柱轴压比等参数的影响,对火灾下型钢混凝土框架整体结构的变形规律、承载机制、破坏形态以及耐火极限进行参数分析。分析结果表明：火灾下框架结构出现了整体破坏和局部破坏两种典型的破坏形态,受火构件受到的约束作用对其耐火性能有较大的影响;在局部破坏形态中,由于受热膨胀,火灾下框架梁首先出现了较大的轴压力,受火框架梁处于压弯受力状态;之后,框架梁出现了悬链线效应,轴力对框架梁的受力状态有较大影响;在整体破坏形态中,根据轴压比及荷载分布形式的不同,框架出现了中柱破坏和边柱破坏两种典型破坏形态,同时,随楼层受火位置的升高,柱的轴压比减小,框架结构的耐火极限增加。     

考虑预应力筋断裂失效的自复位支撑钢框架结构抗震性能与风险评估

为研究自复位支撑中预应力筋发生断裂失效对结构整体抗震性能的影响,以形状记忆合金(SMA)拉索自复位支撑结构为研究对象。通过理论分析典型单核和双核自复位支撑的失效机理,发现双核自复位支撑在提升变形能力的同时存在瞬时连锁失效风险。为此,设计了不考虑预应力筋失效的理想自复位支撑框架、考虑预应力筋失效的单核、双核自复位支撑框架以及SMA自复位支撑框架等4个原型结构模型。考虑预应力筋断裂失效的随机性分布特征,在远场和近场地震作用下对框架进行非线性时程分析;进一步采用IDA方法对框架进行倒塌及残余变形易损性分析,并结合场地特征进行风险评估。分析结果表明：考虑预应力筋的断裂失效会显著增加框架倒塌的风险,在服役期风险评估中,其倒塌概率是理想情况下的5倍左右,残余变形超越概率最高为理想情况下的6倍;SMA自复位支撑具有更大的变形能力以及额外的耗能能力,在抗倒塌和抑制残余变形方面表现更为良好。     

后张预应力混凝土结构设计中的几个概念问题

针对后张预应力混凝土结构设计中有关最佳平衡荷载，平衡荷载效应，控制合理预应力钢筋用量的最主要因素，楼盖平板上扁梁的内力分析以及预应力钢筋形状等概念问题进行了讨论，并提出了设计建议     

新夹心楼板耐火性能及火灾修复后抗弯性能试验研究

对一种新型夹心板的耐火性能及火宅修复后楼板的抗弯性能进行试验研究,试件的耐火性能主要体现在构件的承载力、完整性和隔热性上.基于试验结果,重点分析夹心板的耐火极限和加固试件的承载力、变形能力、破坏形态和破坏机理等,得出板材在弹性、带裂缝、破坏阶段的钢丝网架和混凝土之间的相互作用,从而得到楼板在破坏时的最大承载力.结果表明...     

Non-linear structural modelling of a fire test subject to high restraint

The computer code VULCAN has been developed for the three-dimensional structural analysis of composite and steel-framed buildings in fire. In this paper, the main features of the program are outlined, with particular emphasis on the most recent development to the layered procedure for modelling of concrete floor slabs. This development has introduced geometric non-linearity into the modelling of slabs, whose layer structure already allowed temperature distributions and change of material properties through the thickness, as well as modelling the effect of the ribs at the bottom of composite decking slabs. The capabilities of the model are firstly tested at ambient temperature for a uniformly loaded ribbed reinforced concrete slab with simply supported edges, and this is followed by a very detailed modelling of the Cardington restrained beam fire test. In both cases the development of membrane action is demonstrated and the structural behaviour is compared with the geometrically linear case. A number of studies are carried out to demonstrate the influence of the major floor slab details on the behaviour of the structure in fire conditions. These studies provide evidence that when exposed steel temperatures are less than 400°C the concrete slab has little influence, other than to play a part in generating thermal curvature to composite beams. For temperatures higher than about 500°C the effect of the slab progressively becomes much greater, and it is very important to model concrete slabs correctly. The influence of membrane action cannot be ignored, particularly when the fire compartment is subject to high restraint because it is surrounded by cool, stiff structure. At very high temperatures the floor slab becomes the main load-bearing element and the floor loads above the fire compartment are carried by the membrane forces developed in the slab, with tension being carried mainly by the steel anti-cracking mesh or reinforcing bars. However, the effect of the very high in-plane restraint to thermal expansion in the particular Cardington test considered is to enhance the peripheral zone of compressive membrane force and to reduce the extent of the central area of tensile force compared with more usual cases.     

Fire behaviour of high strength self-consolidating concrete filled steel tubular stub columns

This paper reports an investigation into the behaviour of high strength SCC (self-consolidating concrete) filled steel tubular stub columns exposed to standard fire. A series of tests were carried out to obtain the temperature distribution, axial deformation, limiting temperature of steel and fire endurance of the SCC filled steel tubular stub columns. In addition, a finite element analysis (FEA) model was proposed and used to simulate the fire behaviour of the columns. In the FEA modeling, a sensitivity study was conducted to determine the concrete fracture energy and the contact property of the steel and concrete interface. The verified FEA model was used to analyse the structural behaviour of the columns under fire exposure, such as strain, stress, the load sharing between the steel tube and concrete and local buckling of the steel tube, to gain an insight into the failure mechanism of the columns.     

预应力平行圆管混凝土空心板柱结构地震后承载力试验研究

建造了一个4层现浇无粘结预应力混凝土空心板柱结构的1/4比例模型,分别进行地震前第3层楼板弹性范围内的荷载试验和地震后第1层楼板极限荷载试验,通过测量楼板挠度、钢筋应力及空心楼板的裂纹发展情况,探求预应力混凝土空心板柱结构地震的损伤破坏,楼板的承载能力的变化情况。试验结果表明,在相同荷载作用下,楼板跨中、平行布管方向预应力暗梁和垂直布管方向预应力暗梁跨中地震后挠度均大于地震前。空心楼板的整体性较好,强烈地震对楼板的刚度响应较小,楼面承载力试验过程仍可划分为三个阶段:弹性阶段,开裂扩展阶段和破坏阶段。地震对垂直布管方向预应力暗梁刚度影响大于平行布管方向预应力暗梁,垂直布管方向预应力暗梁跨中挠度地震后比地震前增大程度明显大于平行布管预应力暗梁。基于前述试验结果,并考虑空心楼板的裂纹发展情况,建立了空心楼板极限荷载状态下的塑性铰线分析模型,计算空心楼板的极限荷载略小于试验结果,计算结果与试验数据吻合较好。     

火灾下钢筋混凝土平面框架结构受力机理分析

为研究火灾下钢筋混凝土框架结构的受力机理,采用梁单元建立了钢筋混凝土框架结构耐火性能有限元计算模型,考虑火灾位置、柱轴压比和梁配筋率等参数的影响,对火灾下钢筋混凝土框架结构的变形、内力重分布、破坏形态以及耐火极限进行了参数分析。分析结果表明,火灾下框架结构出现了整体破坏形态和局部破坏形态两种典型的破坏形态:当柱轴压比较小时,框架出现受火梁破坏导致的框架局部破坏形态;当柱轴压比和梁配筋率均较大时,框架出现受火中柱和受火边柱破坏导致的框架整体破坏形态,整体破坏形态为连续性倒塌破坏。在框架局部破坏形态条件下,三面受火梁在框架竖向分布位置不同,受约束作用不同,框架的耐火极限亦不同;而在框架整体破坏条件下,柱轴压比越大,耐火极限越小。     

Investigation of concrete encased steel composite columns at elevated temperatures

This paper presents a nonlinear 3-D finite element model investigating the behaviour of concrete encased steel composite columns at elevated temperatures. The composite columns were pin-ended axially loaded columns having different cross-sectional dimensions, different structural steel sections, different coarse aggregates and different load ratios during fire. The nonlinear material properties of steel, concrete, longitudinal and transverse reinforcement bars as well as the effect of concrete confinement at ambient and elevated temperatures were considered in the finite element models. The interface between the steel section and concrete, the longitudinal and transverse reinforcement bars, and the reinforcement bars and concrete were also considered allowing the bond behaviour to be modelled and the different components to retain its profile during the deformation of the column. The initial overall (out-of-straightness) geometric imperfection was carefully included in the model. The finite element model has been validated against published tests conducted at elevated temperatures. The time–temperature relationships, deformed shapes at failure, time–axial displacement relationships, failure modes and fire resistances of the columns were evaluated by the finite element model. It has been shown that the finite element model can accurately predict the behaviour of the columns at elevated temperatures. Furthermore, the variables that influence the fire resistance and behaviour of the composite columns comprising different load ratios during fire, different coarse aggregates and different slenderness ratios were investigated in parametric studies. It is shown that the fire resistance of the columns generally increases with the decrease in the column slenderness ratio as well as the increase in the structural steel ratio. It is also shown that the time–axial displacement relationship is considerably affected by the coarse aggregate. The fire resistances of the composite columns obtained from the finite element analyses were compared with the design values obtained from the Eurocode 4 for composite columns at elevated temperatures. It is shown that the EC4 is conservative for all the concrete encased steel composite columns, except for the columns having a load ratio of 0.5 as well as the columns having a slenderness ratio of 0.69 and a load ratio of 0.4.