Simplified method for predicting deformations of RC frames during fire exposure

Authors

  • Maged A. Youssef
  • S. F. El-Fitiany

Abstract

Structural engineers are in need of analytical methods to assess the performance of Reinforced Concrete (RC) frames during fire events. Existing numerical methods require extensive knowledge of heat transfer calculations and the finite element method. This paper proposes a practical approach to track the fire performance of indeterminate RC frames during ASTM-E119 and ISO 834 standard fires exposure. The proposed method utilizes a finite difference method to predict the temperature distribution within the section of the RC frame. The predicted elevated temperatures are then used to conduct a sectional analysis. The effective flexural and axial stiffnesses are evaluated and used to predict the overall behavior of the structure during fire. The proposed approach is validated by comparing its predictions with analytical results by others.

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Published

2015-10-15