Rational concrete cover of prestressed concrete beams and slabs for fire resistance

As the influence of the ratio of the characteristic value of structural resistance to that of frequent combination effect, K, on the thickness of concrete cover of prestressed concrete (PC) beams and slabs for fire resistance is not considered sufficiently in design criteria for concrete structures in China and other countries at present,numerical analyses were carried out by ANSYS software on unbonded prestressed concrete (UPC) one-way simply-supported and continuous slabs and beams,and bonded PC simply-supported and continuous beams subjected to fire in 186 cases.In the analysis,K,section dimensions and the thickness of concrete cover are regarded as independent variables and some calculation parameters determined by trial and error based on test resalts. Calculation formula for fire endurance of UPC simply-supported and continuous slabs was proposed, and the recommended thicknesses of cover of PC beams and slabs was presented in consideration of the influence of K and section dimensions as well as fire endurance requirements. Comparison analysis of relevant design criterions in China and other countries was performed to verify the rationale of the proposed values.