Modeling Temperature-Induced Instabilities for Tracing the Fire-Induced Progressive Collapse in Steel-Framed Buildings

This paper presents a series of advanced simulations carried out using the finite element software ABAQUS to trace the fire-induced progressive collapse in steel-framed buildings. An approach for incorporating the full effects of high-temperature creep, fire spread, restraint conditions, local instability, and different failure limit states in the fire resistance analysis will be outlined. The evolution of temperature-induced instabilities leading to the progressive collapse in a fire-exposed steel-framed building will be discussed. Results from the numerical studies will be utilized to recommend guidelines for minimizing the onset of fire-induced instability, as well as progressive collapse, in critical buildings.