Behaviour of composite cellular steel — Concrete beams at elevated temperatures

The behaviour of composite cellular floor beams is becoming important as such members are increasingly used in multistorey buildings. In the event of fire, this issue becomes increasingly critical, particularly for exposed steelwork. In a fire situation, a composite beam has a much higher perimeter area exposed to fire in its lower web-flange section than in the upper web-flange section, and so the temperature distribution across a composite beam is usually non-uniform. The reduction in fire of the strength and stiffness of the material properties of the perforated steel beam, as well as differential thermal expansion, therefore becomes an important influence on the overall behaviour of the composite beam. The objective of this research is to enhance the level of understanding of the generic behaviour of composite cellular floor beams in fire conditions. In this paper, three-dimensional nonlinear finite element models of composite cellular floor beams have been developed, taking into consideration the influence of the changes in material properties with temperature. Experimental data from furnace tests on cellular composite floor beams obtained from previous research work has been used to validate the FE models. An analytical model based on existing design guides is also presented in this paper. It is concluded that finite element analysis results are in good agreement with the experimental data, and all the failure modes have been accurately predicted. The proposed simplified analytical methods show reasonable agreement with the test and FE results, and are always conservative.     

Behaviour of headed stud shear connectors for composite steel-concrete beams at elevated temperatures

The behaviour of composite steel-concrete beams at elevated temperatures is an important problem. A three-dimensional push test model is developed herein with a two-dimensional temperature distribution field based on the finite element method (FEM) and which may be applied to steel-concrete composite beams. The motivation for this paper is to increase the awareness of the structural engineering community to the concepts behind composite steel-concrete structural design for fire exposure. The behaviour of reinforced concrete slabs under fire conditions strongly depends on the interaction of the slabs with the surrounding elements which include the structural steel beam, steel reinforcing and shear connectors. This study was carried out to consider the effects of elevated temperatures on the behaviour of composite steel-concrete beams for both solid and profiled steel sheeting slabs. This investigation considers the load-slip relationship and ultimate load behaviour for push tests with a three-dimensional non-linear finite element program ABAQUS. As a result of elevated temperatures, the material properties change with temperature. The studies were compared with experimental tests under both ambient and elevated temperatures. Furthermore, for the elevated temperature study, the models were loaded progressively up to the ultimate load to illustrate the capability of the structure to withstand load during a fire. It is concluded that finite element analysis showed that the shear connector strength under fire exposure was very sensitive. It is also shown that profiled steel sheeting slabs exhibit greater fire resistance when compared with that of a solid slab as a function of their ambient temperature strength.     

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.     

Numerical modelling of timber connections under fire loading using a component model

This paper describes a component model for dowelled timber connections under fire loading. The component model of the dowelled connection is first developed and calibrated for room temperature. The constitutive relations for dowel–timber interaction are detailed and compared with experimental results. In the fire situation, a two-step approach is used: first, three-dimensional (3D) thermal analysis of the connection is performed using a conductive model with timber properties defined in Eurocode 5 in order to calculate the temperatures in the fasteners and timber; afterwards, the mechanical analysis using a component model is carried out using mechanical properties of the steel dowel and of timber adjusted to the temperatures obtained by the thermal analyses. These properties are reduced according to Eurocode 3 and Eurocode 5, respectively. Numerical simulations are presented that allow evaluation of the model behaviour and performance. Obtained results show good agreement with available experimental data, indicating that regardless of its simplicity, the component model has the capability to accurately model timber connections under fire loading.     

Verbunddecken aus Stahlfaserbeton und Holz

Composite Floors made of Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete and Timber For many years the timber‐concrete composite construction is known and approved particularly with regard to the revaluation and strengthening of timber beam ceilings. The benefits are an obvious increase of the load bearing capacity, a reduction of the deflection, a better vibration behaviour of the ceiling and an improvement of building physical properties like sound insulation and fire resistance. The reinforcement of the concrete slab is necessary, but leads to a large slab thickness in connection with the necessity of a sufficient concrete cover and to disadvantages during the execution of construction work. Therefore it is reasonable to replace the conventional reinforcement by steel fibres. This paper reports on two building projects and their associated experimental pre‐tests, in which steel fibre reinforced concrete was applied for the strengthening of timber beam ceilings.     

Fire design of timber slabs made of hollow core elements

The fire design of timber structures usually take into account both the loss in cross-section due to charring of wood and the temperature-dependent reduction of strength and stiffness of the uncharred residual cross-section. The fire behaviour of timber assemblies made of hollow core elements is characterised by different charring phases. After the fire exposed timber layer is completely charred and the char-layer has fallen off, the thin vertical timber members are exposed to fire on 3 sides, leading to very irregular residual cross-sections with charring depths much greater than for heavy timber structures. Based on an extensive experimental and parametric study, a simplified calculation model for the fire resistance of timber slabs made of hollow core elements has been developed. The calculation model bases on the reduced cross-section method and takes into account two different charring phases. The paper first describes and discusses the simplified calculation model, and then compares the test results to the calculation model.     

火灾中组合梁-板组件的响应模型

介绍一种立体的有限元模型,可用来评估受重力和火灾荷载的组合梁-板组件的响应。使用有限元分析软件模拟典型梁-板组件在不同剪切条件(栓焊混合连接和全部螺栓连接的双角钢节点)和不同火灾场景下的性能。有限元模型中包含随温度变化的组成材料的热力学性能、连接件和混合作用。使用瞬态时域热应力耦合分析来获得组合梁-板组件的温度分布和变形响应。通过对所预测的和所测量的火灾情况下3个组合梁-板组件热学参数和结构响应参数进行对比,验证了这个有限元模型。通过对比显示,所提出的有限元模型可以很准确地预测梁-板组件的火灾响应。分析研究可知,梁和板的混合作用很大程度上提升了组合梁-板组件的耐火性能。因此,可以推论出所提出的有限元模型可用来评估组合楼板结构火灾响应。     

Testing of composite steel top-and-seat-and-web angle joints at ambient and elevated temperatures: Part 2 — Elevated-temperature tests

An experimental programme of eight elevated-temperature tests on composite steel top-and-seat-and-web (TSW) angle joints was carried out to investigate the behaviour of this form of joints under fire conditions. It is found that the inherent strength and stiffness of composite joints can significantly improve the structural behaviour of steel framed structures under fire conditions. However, experimental works on composite steel TSW angle joints under fire conditions have not been published yet. To develop a versatile model to predict the joint moment-rotation characteristics, the authors have developed a component-based mechanical model for this form of joints. The objectives of this study are to ascertain the moment-rotation characteristic for this form of joint at elevated temperatures and to validate the authors’ mechanical model. The effects of some parameters on the overall joint behaviour, such as elevated temperatures, longitudinal shear strength of RC slabs, steel beam depth and bolt behaviour were observed and investigated. The mechanical model predictions are compared with the test results and showed good agreement.     

钢-混凝土组合梁的有限元参数分析

钢–混凝土组合梁比传统的组合梁更有优势。基于推出试验,建立三维非线性有限元模型,用于分析钢–混凝土组合梁的力学性能。通过数值分析结果和试验结果的对比,证实了该模型的有效性。特定参数影响分析包括:黏合剂的弹性模量,黏结层的厚度,混凝土强度,黏结强度及黏结面积。数值结果显示:当黏结层的厚度为3～15mm时,大多数分析的参数对钢-混凝土组合梁的影响非常显著。     

A Numerical Study on the Thermo-mechanical Response of a Composite Beam Exposed to Fire

This study presents an analytical framework for estimating the thermo-mechanical behavior of a composite beam exposed to fire. The framework involves: a fire simulation from which the evolution of temperature on the structure surface is obtained; data transfer by an interface model, whereby the surface temperature is assigned to the finite element model of the structure for thermo-mechanical analysis; and nonlinear thermo-mechanical analysis for predicting the structural response under high temperatures. We use a plastic-damage model for calculating the response of concrete slabs, and propose a method to determine the stiffness degradation parameter of the plastic-damage model by a nonlinear regression of concrete cylinder test data. To validate simulation results, structural fire experiments have been performed on a real-scale steel–concrete composite beam using the fire load prescribed by ASTM E119 standard fire curve. The calculated evolution of deflection at the center of the beam shows good agreement with experimental results. The local test results as well as the effective plastic strain distribution and section rotation of the composite beam at elevated temperatures are also investigated.     

Finite Element Modelling of Post-tensioned Timber Beams at Ambient and Fire Conditions

An increased environmental conscientiousness in society and the abundance of timber in Canada has inevitably led to the desire for more timber construction. In order to increase the opportunity for timber products in construction, novel building systems such as post-tensioned (PT) timber have been developed. Limited development on numerical modelling has been done on PT timber systems for the optimization of design for fire performance. In industry, there is need for a modelling software capable of approximating complex timber system behaviours that is accessible to practitioners. This research program serves to evaluate the current capabilities or shortcomings of modelling PT timber in both ambient and fire conditions, and to develop a methodology for analyzing the performance of the system. Several numerical models of PT timber beam tests are developed and validated using general purpose FEM software ABAQUS. This software is a good research tool and the lessons learned may be used to refine an accessible model for practitioners. Various material definitions are compared including isotropic and orthotropic models. The numerical models show highly promising results for demonstrating the loading and failure behaviour of PT timber beams. Material property directionality is paramount, captured best with the use of Hill’s Potential Function for non-elastic behaviour. Ambient beam tests are modelled with accurately demonstrated load–deflection behaviour and peak loads are computed to within 5% of experimentally recorded values. For PT timber beam standard fire furnace tests, beam failure times are modelled within 3 min of experimental beam failure times for various fire exposure durations (about 5%), and load–deflection behaviour and failure mechanisms are accurately demonstrated. Thermal gradients align with the recorded thermocouple readings and char depths are computed within 4 mm of the observed layers.     

经一麻五灰地仗处理的木梁三面受火耐火极限试验研究

传统木结构建筑木构件表面通常采用地仗处理进行保护,而地仗处理对木构件耐火性能的影响规律尚不清晰。为此,通过4组10根三面受火木梁耐火极限的对比试验,研究了截面尺寸、持荷水平、是否地仗处理等因素对木梁耐火极限的影响规律,提出了剩余截面法计算木梁耐火极限,并提出了木梁热力耦合数值分析模型。结果表明,三面受火木梁耐火极限随持荷水平的增加明显降低,当持荷比由30%增加至50%时,木梁耐火极限降低19.6%~31.7%,平均降低17.5min;三面受火木梁耐火极限随截面尺寸增加显著提高,当截面尺寸由100mm×200mm增加至200mm×400mm时,耐火极限提高95.1%~107.8%,平均增加40.0min;木梁表面经一麻五灰地仗处理后,耐火极限提高21.3%~429%,平均提高15.8min。不同持荷水平和截面尺寸木梁内部距离边缘相同位置处的温度变化相近,表面采用一麻五灰地仗处理可显著延缓木梁内部温度的上升速率,木梁两个方向的炭化速度平均值为0.54mm/min,与未作表面处理的木梁相比降低19.4%。基于剩余截面法和数值模拟得到的三面受火木梁耐火极限预测值与试验值的误差在±15%以内,基本满足工程精度要求。     

钢箱-混凝土组合梁抗弯力学性能研究

在选择了合理的钢材和混凝土的本构关系模型的基础上,利用通用有限元软件ABAQUS,对钢箱-混凝土组合梁受弯构件荷载～变形关系曲线进行了计算,计算结果得到了实验结果的验证。在此基础上,对钢箱-混凝土组合梁荷载～变形关系进行了全过程分析。在本文研究结果的基础上,可利用ABAQUS对钢箱-混凝土组合梁工作机理进行较为深入的研究。本文的研究成果可为相关研究提供参考。     

Numerical investigations on the thermo-mechanical behavior of steel-to-timber joints exposed to fire

A three-dimensional finite element model is developed to predict the thermo-mechanical behavior of steel-to-timber doweled joints in tension parallel to grain exposed to fire. To manage the plastic yielding of the materials, the mechanical model is based on the von Mises criterion for steel and the Hill criterion for timber. In fire, the material characteristics depend on the temperature. Two different meshes are used for the thermal and the thermo-mechanical models. The thermal model is continuous, to take account of the thermal continuity between the joint components. The thermo-mechanical model is discontinuous, to consider the contact evolution between the joint components. The thermal model is used to predict the evolution of the temperature field inside the joint which depend on the gas temperature. It is validated on the basis of measured temperatures during fire tests. The complex transformations in wood during fire are represented by apparent values of thermo-physical characteristics proposed in the bibliography and calibrated on the basis of the experimental measurements. The mechanical model is validated by comparison with the experimental results of joints in normal conditions. The thermo-mechanical model is validated by considering the experimental failure times of some joints. The numerical models showed a good capacity to simulate the behavior of the timber joints in cold and in fire situations. These developed and tested models can be used as a general tool to analyze the behavior of a large variety of joint configurations to constitute a data base that can be used in safe and economic practice of fire engineering of wood joints.     

Determination of fire resistance ratings for glulam connectors within US high rise timber buildings

Multi-storey mass timber buildings constructed with cross laminated timber and glulam are being developed globally. Where engineered timber such as glulam is utilized, the column to beam connections need to be constructed with a fire resistance rating equal to that of the connecting members. The preferred glulam connectors are either a concealed steel plate with bolts and dowels; or a concealed proprietary screw-in sleeve type connector. The fire resistance of connectors for glulam members is an unresolved design issue, as there is no clear methodology to assess their capacity under fire, when the timber is exposed and not clad behind fire protective plasterboard. There is limited fire test data on concealed connectors under shear forces, which is the normal loading condition within a constructed building. Fire test data is also limited on full-size specimens. Correlations developed to date to calculate concealed connector fire resistance have only limited application.A methodology for the design of glulam beam to column connections has been developed based on an extensive literature review, examining the key issues for connection failure. It has been determined that char rate for the timber at the connection needs to be increased above the normally accepted design values, due to the influence of the steel connectors. Secondly, the reduction in timber strength behind the char layer needs to be accounted for, by including a greater depth of reduced strength and stiffness timber, such that the connection can effectively transfer the applied forces through the timber to the steel connector. The methodology detailed within this paper provides a simple approach to evaluate the timber cover to the concealed steel connector, where the timber strength and stiffness are effective.     

Modeling the response of composite beam–slab assemblies exposed to fire

This paper presents the development of a three-dimensional nonlinear finite element model for evaluating the response of composite beam–slab assemblies subjected to a combination of gravity and fire loading. The behavior of typical beam–slab assemblies with different shear connection types (welded–bolted shear tab and all-bolted double-angle connection), exposed to different fire scenarios, was modeled using ANSYS. The finite element model accounts for temperature dependent thermal and mechanical properties of constituent materials, connections, and composite action. Transient time domain coupled thermal-stress analysis is performed to obtain the temperature distribution and deformation response of the composite beam–slab assembly. The finite element model is validated by comparing the predicted and measured thermal and structural response parameters of three composite beam–slab assemblies tested under fire conditions. The comparisons show that the proposed model is capable of predicting the fire response of beam–slab assemblies with good accuracy. Research from the analysis clearly shows that the composite action between the beam and slab significantly enhances the fire performance of composite beam–slab assemblies. It is concluded that the proposed finite element model could be used as a feasible tool to evaluate the fire response of composite floor systems.     

Brandverhalten von Hohlkastendecken aus Holz

Fire behaviour of timber slabs made of hollow core elements. This paper presents an overview of experimental tests on the fire behaviour of timber slabs made of hollow core elements. The fire tests aim at supplying basic data and information for an extended safe use of timber structures, particularly in multi‐storey buildings. A series of large scale fire tests on timber slabs was performed by the Institute of Structural Engineering of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich in order to enlarge the experimental background of the design methods for a fire resistance of 60 and more minutes. Further a series of small scale fire tests permitted to investigate the fire performance of different types of joints between the timber elements, the influence of acoustic perforations as well as the fire behaviour of hollow core elements filled with different insulation materials.     

Effects of exposed cross laminated timber on compartment fire dynamics

A series of compartment fire experiments has been undertaken to evaluate the impact of combustible cross laminated timber linings on the compartment fire behaviour. Compartment heat release rates and temperatures are reported for three configuration of exposed timber surfaces. Auto-extinction of the compartment was observed in one case but this was not observed when the experiment was repeated under identical condition. This highlights the strong interaction between the exposed combustible material and the resulting fire dynamics. For large areas of exposed timber linings heat transfer within the compartment dominates and prevents auto-extinction. A framework is presented based on the relative durations of the thermal penetration time of a timber layer and compartment fire duration to account for the observed differences in fire dynamics. This analysis shows that fall-off of the charred timber layers is a key contributor to whether auto-extinction can be achieved.     

Temperatures during fire tests on structure and its prediction according to Eurocodes

The paper reports on an experimental programme to investigate the global structural behaviour of a compartment in the three-storey steel frame building in a plant of the Mittal Steel Ostrava exposed to fire before demolition. The research project of the Czech Technical University in Prague was focussed on the examination of the temperature development within the various unprotected structural elements and its connections, the corresponding distribution of horizontal forces and the behaviour of the laterally unrestrained beams during the natural fire. The experiment also allowed studying of the heating of external elements, the influence of connection in a wall of sandwich panels, the temperature development in light timber-based panel and the degradation of the timber concrete composite element. Before the compartment fire, a local fire was prepared to verify the models of the temperature development in an unprotected column. The comparisons to the simplified calculations by European standards are included in the text to show their strong and weak points in prediction of temperatures of gas and structural elements during fire.     

Experimental analysis of cross-laminated timber panels in fire

Design models of timber structures in fire usually take into account the loss in cross-section due to charring of wood. For cross-laminated timber panels in fire only little information on charring is available. The paper describes and discusses the results of an extensive testing programme on the fire behaviour of cross-laminated timber panels under ISO-fire exposure. The fire tests were performed on the small horizontal furnace (1.0×0.8 m) at the Empa in Duebendorf. Particular attention is given to the comparison of the fire behaviour of cross-laminated timber panels with homogeneous timber panels. The results of the fire tests showed that the fire behaviour of cross-laminated timber panels is strongly influenced by the behaviour of the adhesive used for bonding the cross-laminated timber panels. Depending on the properties of the adhesives at elevated temperatures falling off of the charred layers was clearly observed during the fire tests, leading to increased charring rates in comparison to homogeneous timber panels. This is the same effect as observed for initially protected timber members after the fire protection has fallen off. For the specimens where no falling off of the charred layers was observed the fire behaviour was similar to that of homogeneous timber panels.