Comparisons of fire resistance of RC beams from different codes of practice

M. B. Dwaikat, V. K.R. Kodur

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

The fire resistance of reinforced concrete beams, computed as per three codes, namely, ACI 216.1, Eurocode 2, and AS 3600, is compared with that predicted from finite element analysis. A macroscopic finite element model, capable of tracing the behavior of restrained reinforced concrete beams from pre-fire stage to collapse, is used in the analysis. The model accounts for high temperature material properties, fire-induced strains (thermal, transient, and creep strains in addition to mechanical strain) and restraint effects as a result of fire exposure. Since restraint has a significant effect on fire resistance of reinforced concrete beams, the comparison is carried out for four cases of reinforced concrete beams with different boundary conditions. The first case represents a simply supported beam, while the other three cases represent axially restrained, rotationally restrained, and axially and rotationally restrained beams, respectively. Through the results of the case studies, it is shown that there is a large variation in the fire resistance predictions from the three codes, with Eurocode 2 being the most conservative and ACI 216.1 being the least conservative. It is also shown that the degree of axial restraint, rotational restraint, and type of failure criteria have significant influence on the fire resistance of reinforced concrete beams.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAmerican Concrete Institute - Designing Concrete Structures for Fire Safety Session at the ACI Spring Convention 2007
Pages122-142
Number of pages21
Edition255 SP
StatePublished - 2008
EventDesigning Concrete Structures for Fire Safety - ACI Spring Convention 2007 - Atlanta, GA, United States
Duration: 22 Apr 200726 Apr 2007

Publication series

NameAmerican Concrete Institute, ACI Special Publication
Number255 SP
ISSN (Print)0193-2527

Conference

ConferenceDesigning Concrete Structures for Fire Safety - ACI Spring Convention 2007
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAtlanta, GA
Period22/04/0726/04/07

Keywords

  • Design codes
  • Fire resistance
  • Fire resistance standards
  • High temperature
  • Reinforced concrete beams
  • Restraint effect

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