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Shear tab connection with composite beam subjected to transient-state fire temperatures: A rational model for design

Mohammad Hajjar (Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon)
Elie Hantouche (Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon)
Ahmad El Ghor (Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon)

Journal of Structural Fire Engineering

ISSN: 2040-2317

Article publication date: 8 July 2019

Issue publication date: 11 October 2019

120

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to develop a rational model to predict the thermal axial forces developed in shear tab connections with composite beams when subjected to transient-state fire temperatures.

Design/methodology/approach

Finite element (FE) models are first developed in ABAQUS and validated against experimental data available in the literature. Second, a parametric study is conducted to identify the major parameters that affect the behavior of shear tab connections with composite beams in the fire. This includes beam length, shear tab thickness, shear tab location, concrete slab thickness, setback distance and partial composite action. A design-oriented model is developed to predict the thermal induced axial forces during the heating and cooling phases of a fire event. The model consists of multi-linear springs that can predict the stiffness and strength of each component of the connection with the composite beam.

Findings

The FE results show that significant thermal axial forces are generated in the composite beam in the fire. This is prominent when the beam bottom flange comes in contact with the column. Fracture at the toe of the welds governs the behavior during the cooling phase in most FE simulations. Also, the rational model is validated against the FE results and is capable of predicting the thermal axial forces developed in shear tab connections with composite beams under different geometrical properties.

Originality/value

The proposed model can predict the thermal axial force demand and can be used in performance-based approaches in future structural fire engineering applications.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by the American University of Beirut Research Board under award No. 103604/project No. 24705.

Citation

Hajjar, M., Hantouche, E. and El Ghor, A. (2019), "Shear tab connection with composite beam subjected to transient-state fire temperatures: A rational model for design", Journal of Structural Fire Engineering, Vol. 10 No. 4, pp. 411-434. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSFE-11-2018-0037

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

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