Simulating the behavior of restrained steel beams to flame impingement from localized-fires

C. Zhang, G.-Q. Li, Asif Sohail Usmani

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

64 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Steel structures may be exposed to localized heating by a fire source nearby. Flame impingement from localized fire may lead to high temperatures in the exposed steel members, which may lead to structural failure. This paper numerically investigates the thermal and mechanical behaviors of restrained steel beams exposed to flame impingement from localized fires. Four steel beams with different dimensions and restraints were considered. Both developing and steady burning fires were investigated. The standard ISO834 fire was also used for comparison. The study finds that the temperature distributions within the steel beams subjected to flame impingement are highly non-uniform both across and along the beams. Along the beam length, the temperatures near the fire source may be hundreds of degrees higher than those far from the fire source. Due to different temperature distributions, the deformation mode for restrained steel beam subjected to flame impingement may be significantly different from that of a beam subjected to the standard ISO834 fire. The failure temperatures for restrained steel beams subjected to localized fires may be higher or lower than those for restrained beams subjected to the standard ISO834 fire. Reliance on the standard fire may lead to an unconservative design if the potential real fires are localized fires. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)156-165
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Constructional Steel Research
Volume83
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Mar 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Flame impingement from localized fire
  • Numerical investigation
  • Restrained steel beam
  • Thermal and mechanical behaviors

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Building and Construction
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Metals and Alloys

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