Experimental study of fire-resistant steel H-columns at elevated temperature

This paper presents the experimental studies of axially loaded fire-resistant steel columns under elevated temperature. With the advancement of metal production, fire-resistant steel with enhanced mechanical properties at elevated temperatures has been developed recently. However, extensive research work is needed in order for the application of fire-resistant steel in building structures. In this study, a series of fire-resistant steel columns was loaded to their ultimate states at specified temperature. The effects of width-thickness ratios, slenderness ratios and residual stress on the performance of fire-resistant steel H-columns are examined. Based on this study, it is found that the section property of fire-resistant H-columns should be at least a non-compact section in order to prevent local buckling. Column strength is sensitive to slenderness ratio at elevated temperature. The strength of a slender column decreased sharply especially for temperatures above 600 ^°C. It is also found that the failure mode of steel columns changed from inelastic global buckling at room temperature to local buckling at elevated temperature, due to the release of residual stress in fire. An analytical model is proposed which is able to predict the behavior of fire-resistant steel H-columns under elevated temperature. Design guidelines are also proposed for the design of fire-resistant steel columns in fire conditions.