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1 – 10 of over 12000
Article
Publication date: 23 January 2019

Mustafa Mahamid, Ataollah Taghipour Anvari, Ines Torra-Bilal, Tom Brindley and Michael McNallan

The purpose of this paper is to investigate different types of fire on structural steel members with damaged fireproofing. Two types of fire scenarios are considered, ASTM E119…

195

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate different types of fire on structural steel members with damaged fireproofing. Two types of fire scenarios are considered, ASTM E119 fire and Hydrocarbon fire. In industrial facilities such as oil refineries, certain units maybe subjected to hydrocarbon fire, and its effect might be different than standard fire. The purpose of this study is to compare both types of fire scenarios on steel beams with damaged fireproofing and determine the fire rating of the damaged beams under each fire scenario.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is performed using computational methods, thermal-stress finite element analysis that is validated with experimental results. The results of practical beam sizes and typical applied loads in such structures have been plotted and compared with steel beams with non-damaged fireproofing.

Findings

The results show significant difference in the beam fire resistance between the two fire scenarios and show the fire resistance for beam under each case. The study provides percentage reduction in fire resistance under each case for the most commonly used cases in practice under different load conditions.

Originality/value

Extensive literature search has been performed by the authors, and few studies were found relevant to the topic. The question this study answers comes up regularly in practice. There are no standards to codes that address this issue.

Details

Journal of Structural Fire Engineering, vol. 10 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-2317

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 February 2019

Ataollah Taghipour Anvari, Mustafa Mahamid, Michael McNallan and Mohammadreza Eslami

The purpose of this paper is to present the effect of damaged fireproofing on structural steel members. This study will show that a minor damage in fireproofing will reduce the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the effect of damaged fireproofing on structural steel members. This study will show that a minor damage in fireproofing will reduce the fire rating of members significantly. Damaged fireproofing happens in structures due to various reasons, and the question is always how effective is this fireproofing? This paper presents the results of one type of fireproofing and presents a parametric study on the size of damage and its effect on fire resistance of structural steel members.

Design/methodology/approach

The study has been performed using numerical methods, thermal and structural finite element analysis. The analysis method has been verified by experimental results.

Findings

Small fire protection damage or loss leads to significant rise of temperature at the damaged parts and causes severe fire resistance reduction of beams. The higher fire protection damage’s extension at the bottom flange of the steel beams does not have any major influence on the rate of reduction of fire resistance of the beams. Steel beams experience greater fire resistance reduction at higher load levels because of the existing of higher stresses and loads within the steel beam section.

Research limitations/implications

The study has been performed using finite element analysis, and it covers a wide range of practical sizes. However, experimental work will be performed by the researchers when funding is granted.

Practical implications

The study provides researchers and practitioners with an estimate on the effect of damaged fireproofing on fire resistance of structural steel beams.

Social implications

Understanding the effect of the effect of damaged fireproofing helps in estimating the fire resistance of structural steel members, which may protect collapses and disasters.

Originality/value

The research is original; extensive literature review has been performed, and this research is original.

Details

Journal of Structural Fire Engineering, vol. 10 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-2317

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 February 2019

Muhd Afiq Hizami Abdullah, Mohd Zulham Affandi Mohd Zahid, Afizah Ayob and Khairunnisa Muhamad

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect on flexural strength of fire-damaged concrete repaired with high-strength mortar (HSM).

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect on flexural strength of fire-damaged concrete repaired with high-strength mortar (HSM).

Design/methodology/approach

Reinforced concrete beams with dimension of 100 mm × 100 mm × 500 mm were used in this study. Beams were then heated to 400°C and overlaid with either HSM or high-strength fiber reinforced mortar (HSFM) to measure the effectiveness of repair material. Repaired beams of different material were then tested for flexural strength. Another group of beams was also repaired and tested by the same procedure but was heated at higher temperature of 600°C.

Findings

Repair of 400°C fire-damaged samples using HSM regained 72 per cent of its original flexural strength, 100.8 per cent of its original toughness and 56.9 per cent of its original elastic stiffness. Repair of 400°C fire-damaged samples using HSFM regained 113.5 per cent of its original flexural strength, 113 per cent of its original toughness and 85.1 per cent of its original elastic stiffness. Repair of 600°C fire-damaged samples using HSM regained 18.7 per cent of its original flexural strength, 25.9 per cent of its original peak load capacity, 26.1 per cent of its original toughness and 22 per cent of its original elastic stiffness. Repair of 600°C fire-damaged samples using HSFM regained 68.4 per cent of its original flexural strength, 96.5 per cent of its original peak load capacity, 71.2 per cent of its original toughness and 52.2 per cent of its original elastic stiffness.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited to the size of the furnace. The beam specimen is limited to 500 mm of length and overall dimensions. This dimension is not practical in actual structure, hence it may cause exaggeration of deteriorating effect of heating on reinforced concrete beam.

Practical implications

This study may promote more investigation of using HSM as repair material for fire-damaged concrete. This will lead to real-world application and practical solution for fire-damaged structure.

Social implications

The aim of this research in using HSM mostly due to the material’s high workability which will ease its application and promote quality in repair of damaged structure.

Originality/value

There is a dearth of research on using HSM as repair material for fire-damaged concrete. Some research has been carried out using mortar but at lower strength compared to this research.

Details

Journal of Structural Fire Engineering, vol. 10 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-2317

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 June 2019

Virendra Kumar

The occurrence of multiple hazards in extreme conditions is not unknown nowadays, but the sustainability of the reinforced concrete structures under such scenarios form…

Abstract

Purpose

The occurrence of multiple hazards in extreme conditions is not unknown nowadays, but the sustainability of the reinforced concrete structures under such scenarios form competitive challenges in civil engineering profession. Among all, fire following earthquake (FFE) is categorized under multiple extreme load scenarios which causes sequential damages to the structures. This paper aims to experiment a full-scale RC frame sub-assemblage for the FFE scenario and assess each stage of damage through the nondestructive testing method.

Design/methodology/approach

Two levels of simulated earthquake damages, i.e. immediate occupancy (IO) level and life safety (LS) level of structural performance were induced to the test frame and then, followed by a realistic compartment fire of 1 h duration. Also, the evaluation of damage to the RC frame after the fire subsequent to the earthquake was carried out by obtaining the ultimate capacity of the frame. Ultrasonic pulse velocity and rebound hammer test were conducted to assess the structural endurance of the damaged frame. Cracks were also marked during mechanical damages to the test frame to study the nature of its propagation.

Findings

Careful visual inspection during and after the fire test to the test frame were done. To differentiate between concrete chemically affected by the fire or physically damaged is an important issue. In situ inspection and laboratory tests of concrete components have been performed. Concrete from the test frame was localized with thermo-gravimetric analysis. The UPV results exhibited a sharp decrease in the strength of the concrete material which was also confirmed via the DTA, TGA and TG results. It is important to evaluate the residual capacity of the entire structure under the FFE scenario and propose rehabilitation/retrofit schemes for the building structure.

Research limitations/implications

The heterogeneity in the distribution of the damage has been identified due to variation of fire exposure. The study only highlights the capabilities of the methods for finding the residual capacity of the RC frame sub-assemblage after an occurrence of an FFE.

Originality/value

It is of find kind of research work on full-scale reinforced concrete building. In this, an attempt has been made for the evaluation of concrete structures affected by an FFE through nondestructive and destructive methods.

Details

Journal of Structural Fire Engineering, vol. 10 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-2317

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 September 2021

Hemanth Kumar Chinthapalli and Anil Agarwal

Earthquake tremors not only increase the chances of fire ignition but also hinder the fire-fighting efforts due to the damage to the lifelines of a city. Most of the international…

Abstract

Purpose

Earthquake tremors not only increase the chances of fire ignition but also hinder the fire-fighting efforts due to the damage to the lifelines of a city. Most of the international codes have independent recommendations for structural safety against earthquake and fire. However, the possibility of a multi-hazard event, such as fire following an earthquake is seldom addressed.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents an experimental study of Reinforced Concrete (RC) columns in post-earthquake fire (PEF) conditions. An experimental approach is proposed that allows the testing of a column instead of a full structural frame. This approach allows us to control the loading and boundary conditions individually and facilitates the testing under a variety of these conditions. Also, it allows the structure to be tested until failure. The role of parameters, such as earthquake intensity, axial load ratio and the ductile detailing of the column on the earthquake damage and subsequently the fire performance of the structure, is studied in this research. Six RC column specimens are tested under a sequence of quasi-static earthquake loading, followed by combined fire and axial compression loading conditions.

Findings

The experiment results indicate that ductile detailed columns subjected to 4% or less lateral drift did not lose significant load-carrying capacity in fire conditions. A lateral drift of 6% caused significant damage to the columns and reduced the load-carrying capacity in fire conditions. The level of the axial load acting on the column at the time of earthquake loading was found to have a very significant effect on the extent of damage and reduction in column load capacity in fire conditions. The columns that were not detailed for a ductile behavior observed a more significant reduction in axial load carrying capacity in fire conditions.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to columns of 230 mm size due to the limitations of the test setup. The applicability of these findings to larger column sections needs to be verified by developing a numerical analysis methodology and simulating other post-earthquake-fire tests available in the literature.

Originality/value

The experimental procedure proposed in this paper offers an alternative to the testing of a complete structural frame system for PEF behavior. In addition to the ease of conducting the tests, the procedure also allows much better control over the heating, structural loading and boundary conditions.

Details

Journal of Structural Fire Engineering, vol. 13 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-2317

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 March 2017

Rajkishor, Pradeep Bhargava, Navratan M. Bhandari and Umesh K. Sharma

This paper aims to present a mathematical model of predicting the residual moment capacity of fire-damaged reinforced concrete (RC) elements after cooling to ambient temperature…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present a mathematical model of predicting the residual moment capacity of fire-damaged reinforced concrete (RC) elements after cooling to ambient temperature which also reflects the role of bond between steel rebar and surrounding concrete.

Design/methodology/approach

The prediction of residual moment capacity of fire-damaged RC element has been carried out for two scenarios: by assuming perfect bond between surrounding concrete and steel rebar after fire exposure and by incorporating a relative slip between surrounding concrete and steel rebar and hence assuming partial bond between them after fire scenario. The predicted results are then compared with the experimental results available in different literatures.

Findings

It is found that on comparison between the predicted results and the experimental results, the proposed mathematical prediction model, when bond-characteristics are considered, shows better agreement with the experimental results as compared with those by conventional method with perfect bond assumption.

Originality/value

The constitutive relationship for thermal residual properties of steel rebar and concrete has been used in the proposed prediction model along with relative slip approach between surrounding concrete and steel rebar after fire scenario and consequently to predict the residual moment capacity of the fire-damaged RC element after cooling.

Details

Journal of Structural Fire Engineering, vol. 8 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-2317

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 August 2021

Ali Sari and Umid Azimov

Accidental loadings such as fire constitute a great majority of potential and actual fatalities in both onshore and offshore installations. In order to prevent human loss and for…

74

Abstract

Purpose

Accidental loadings such as fire constitute a great majority of potential and actual fatalities in both onshore and offshore installations. In order to prevent human loss and for a safe design of an asset, the risk of fire loading needs to be quantified, in terms of both probability/frequency and consequence aspects. In this paper the authors propose a novel risk-based approach for the assessment against accidental fire loading.

Design/methodology/approach

In a conventional passive fire protection (PFP) analysis using ductility level analysis (DLA), fire loads are deterministically applied to a structure whose response is then analyzed. The initial PFP scheme is developed based on the analysis and then optimized. This approach is sometimes misinterpreted as a “risk-based” approach; however, it does not take into account the frequency aspect of the risk assessment. In a risk-based PFP analysis using DLA, fire scenarios are developed in a particular target zone. Then DLA is performed to determine the structural consequence. If personnel safety is of interest, the consequence of the structure is then linked to individual risk (IR) to determine fatalities. The amount of PFP to be applied on the structure is fully based on the risk that is produced by the fire scenarios in target zones.

Findings

A new perspective on safe design of onshore/offshore structures for accidental loadings is outlined to estimate the associated risk to potential targets such as personnel as well as asset. The proposed assessment methodology will contribute toward identifying the mitigation measures and safety-critical procedures and equipment and toward a safer design.

Originality/value

This paper presents a new perspective in a safer design of onshore and offshore structures for a fire accidental loading based on risk calculation. Risk is defined as a combination of the frequency and consequence. An event frequency analysis is carried out to determine how often one should expect the event to occur. A consequence analysis is carried out to determine the severity levels of the event. In a risk-based consequence analysis, the severity levels are fully determined based on the risk associated with the event. The proposed novel risk-based assessment methodology against accidental fire loading contributes toward fully understanding the risk from an impact to personnel and to asset perspectives and leads toward safer and optimal design.

Details

Journal of Structural Fire Engineering, vol. 12 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-2317

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 1999

G. Ramachandran

The paper discusses the problems encountered in the management and quantitative evaluation of fire risk and safety in a building. Rational methods for obtaining solutions to these…

5167

Abstract

The paper discusses the problems encountered in the management and quantitative evaluation of fire risk and safety in a building. Rational methods for obtaining solutions to these problems are provided by non‐deterministic mathematical models rather than deterministic models. This is due to the fact that the occurrence and spread of an accidental (not arson) fire are random phenomena affected by uncertainties caused by several factors. Non‐deterministic models discussed briefly in the paper include simple statistical and probabilistic models, regression methods, probability distributions, fault and event trees and stochastic models. The paper only provides a framework for applying these models to any type of facility. For any type, it may be necessary to modify these techniques, collect all the relevant data and perform the analyses to derive results and conclusions applicable to that type.

Details

Facilities, vol. 17 no. 9/10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 July 2020

Anjaly Nair and Osama (Sam) Salem

At elevated temperatures, concrete undergoes changes in its mechanical and thermal properties, which mainly cause degradation of strength and eventually may lead to the failure of…

Abstract

Purpose

At elevated temperatures, concrete undergoes changes in its mechanical and thermal properties, which mainly cause degradation of strength and eventually may lead to the failure of the structure. Retrofitting is a desirable option to rehabilitate fire damaged concrete structures. However, to ensure safe reuse of fire-exposed buildings and to adopt proper retrofitting methods, it is essential to evaluate the residual load-bearing capacity of such fire-damaged reinforced concrete structures. The focus of the experimental study presented in this paper aims to investigate the fire performance of concrete columns exposed to a standard fire, and then evaluate its residual compressive strengths after fire exposure of different durations.

Design/methodology/approach

To effectively study the fire performance of such columns, eight identical 200 × 200 × 1,500-mm high reinforced concrete columns test specimens were subjected to two different fire exposure (1- and 2-h) while being loaded with two different load ratios (20% and 40% of the column ultimate design axial compressive load). In a subsequent stage and after complete cooling down, residual compressive strength capacity tests were performed on each fire exposed column.

Findings

Experimental results revealed that the columns never regain its original capacity after being subjected to a standard fire and that the residual compressive strength capacity dropped to almost 50% and 30% of its ambient temperature capacity for the columns exposed to 1- and 2-h fire durations, respectively. It was also noticed that, for the tested columns, the applied load ratio has much less effect on the column’s residual compressive strength compared to that of the fire duration.

Originality/value

According to the unique outcomes of this experimental study and, as the fire-damaged concrete columns possessed considerable residual compressive strength, in particular those exposed to shorter fire duration, it is anticipated that with proper retrofitting techniques such as fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) wrapping, the fire-damaged columns can be rehabilitated to regain at least portion of its lost load-bearing capacities. Accordingly, the residual compressive resistance data obtained from this study can be effectively used but not directly to adopt optimal retrofitting strategies for such fire-damaged concrete columns, as well as to be used in validating numerical models that can be usefully used to account for the thermally-induced degradation of the mechanical properties of concrete material and ultimately predict the residual compressive strengths and deformations of concrete columns subjected to different load intensity ratios for various fire durations.

Details

Journal of Structural Fire Engineering, vol. 11 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-2317

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 2 December 2021

Roberto Felicetti

This study aims to develop an assessment strategy for fire damaged infrastructures based on the implementation of quick diagnostic techniques and consistent interpretation…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to develop an assessment strategy for fire damaged infrastructures based on the implementation of quick diagnostic techniques and consistent interpretation procedures, so to determine the residual safety margin and any need for repair works.

Design/methodology/approach

In this perspective, several tailored non-destructive test (NDT) methods have been developed in the past two decades, providing immediate results, with no need for time-consuming laboratory analyses. Moreover, matching their indications with the calculated effects of a tentative fire scenario allows harmonizing distinct pieces of evidence in the coherent physical framework of fire dynamics and heat transfer.

Findings

This approach was followed in the investigations on a concrete overpass in Verona (Italy) after a coach violently impacted one supporting pillar and caught fire in 2017. Technical specifications of the vehicle made it possible to bound the acceptable ranges for fire load and maximum rate of heat release, while surveillance video footage indicated the duration of the burning stage. Some established NDT methods (evaluation of discolouration, de-hydroxylation and rebar hardness) were implemented, together with advanced ultrasonic tests based on pulse refraction and pulse-echo tomography.

Originality/value

The results clearly showed the extension of the most damaged area at the intrados of the box girders and validated the maximum heating depth, as predicted by numerical analysis of the heat transient ensuing from the localized fire model.

Details

Journal of Structural Fire Engineering, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-2317

Keywords

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