Post-fire residual mechanical properties of Q460GJ steel under different pre-tensile stresses

Previous studies on the post-fire mechanical properties of steel were conducted with unstressed state, without considering the influence of pre-stress which subjected to structures in reality. In this article, the post-fire residual mechanical properties of Q460GJ steel under different pre-tensile stresses were studied. The stress-strain curve, elastic modulus, yield strength, ultimate strength and fracture elongation of Q460GJ steel after different elevated temperatures heating are analyzed in detail. The experimental results are compared with that of Q460 steel and S460 steel in the existing literatures. At last, the predictive equations of post-fire mechanical properties of Q460GJ steel under different pre-tensile stresses are established. Q460GJ steel still maintains good ductility after elevated temperature heating, which increases the possibility of reuse of Q460GJ steel element after fire. The Q460GJ steel has better post-fire ductility than that of Q460 and S460 steels. The predictive equations for the post-fire residual mechanical properties for Q460GJ steel under different pre-tensile stresses were proposed. The variation coefficients of yield strength for Q460GJ steel under different pre-tensile stresses after 20 min different elevated temperatures heating were within 0.065. The findings should have a great significance to providing theoretical support for design of reusing or restoring steel building after fire.