Burgess, I., Davison, J.B., Dong, G. et al. (1 more author) (2012) The role of connections in the response of steel frames to fire. Structural Engineering International, 22 (4). 449 - 461. ISSN 1016-8664
Abstract
Connections are critical structural elements of building frames, and in a fire are subject to forces very different from those at the ambient temperature for which they are designed. The fracture of a connection can cause the collapse of the connected beam, which may lead to a progressive collapse sequence affecting the entire building. This paper overviews the sequence of research on connection behaviour in a fire at the University of Sheffield. Early work focused on studying connections in terms of their moment–rotation behaviour alone. Concurrent full-scale building fire tests led to the realization that the tying capacity of connections is of prime importance for maintaining the structural stability in a fire. For whole-structure numerical modelling in performance-based fire engineering design, the development of the component-based approach, which was initially introduced for ambient temperature connection design, is an appropriate way to rationalize and model connection behaviour under these complex loadings. The effect of high co-existent rotation on the tying capacity of connections has been studied in furnace tests at various temperatures, which have provided data to assist in the characterization of the component-based model. A general component-based connection element, into which appropriate component models can be inserted, has been developed so that full connection performance, including fracture of components, can be integrated into global non-linear structural fire analysis. This will allow buildings to be modelled for a range of fire scenarios so that they can be designed to avoid progressive collapse in a fire.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Keywords: | steel structures; fire; connections; robustness; catenary action; component method; global analysis |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Engineering (Sheffield) > Department of Civil and Structural Engineering (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 04 Aug 2014 13:57 |
Last Modified: | 07 Aug 2015 18:57 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.2749/101686612X13363929517811 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.2749/101686612X13363929517811 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:79214 |