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Behavior of steel columns in fire conditions


Milan Petrovi*1, Todor Vacev2 Sran ivkovi3
1,2,3

University of Ni, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Aleksandra Medvedeva 14, 18000 Ni,
Serbia

Abstract
Upon outbreak of fire, gas temperature in fire compartment evolves in stochastic manner. Heat
energy is transferred from fluid air by convection and radiation to surfaces with lower
temperature, i.e., to structural elements and boundary elements of the fire compartment, and further
through the element by conduction. That way temeperature in elements increase. Thereby,
mechanical properties of steel are reduced and should be treated as such in analysis.
In this paper a comparative analysis of behavior of axially compressed steel elements (HE-A profile
and squared hollow profile) in fire conditions was performed. Comparison was conducted according
to the following criteria: development of temperature in elements and reduction of load bearing
capacity with temperature increase. Temperature development was obtained analitically, based on
the standard logarithmic curve, after EN 1993-1-2, as well as numerically, using the Finite Element
Method. In terms of load bearing capacity, calculation was performed using EN 1993-1-2. Results
indicate that no significant differences occur in behavior of these profiles in fire conditions, and
that, as well as in normal conditions, it is more convenient to use squared hollow profiles, as more
resistant to the loss of stability.
Keywords: Fire, Eurocode, Standard logarithmic curve, High temperature

1. Introduction
Over the last few decades design of objects resistant to fire actions is experiencing very intensive
development. New methods for analysis have been developed, based on realistic behavior of objects
in case of fire outbreak (performance-based design), which takes into account realistic conditions
during the fire (properties of fire sectors, ventilation conditions, type of fuel), as well as actual
response of structures subjected to high temperature. Such approach overcame classic method,
where, according to fire resistance required by standards, element dimensions and potential
thckness of fireproof materials are chosen based on fire resistance of elements determined in
advance prescriptive approach. Fire resistance of elements was determined by experimental
testing in standard testing furnace (standard ISO-834), with controlled temperature increment
according to standard logarithmic curve. Calculation is based on properties of steel at ambient
temperature, and required fire resistance of structure is achieved by encasement with certain layer
of fire insulation, unlike contemporary method which implies use of analytic methods for
determining fire resistance, considering variation of steel properties with temperature rise [1]. By
using contemporary method, required thickness of fireproof materials can be significantly
*

Corresponding author: Tel./ Fax.:+381 63 73 71 654


E-mail address: millan_petrovic@hotmail.com

2nd Conference for PhD students in Civil Engineering


CE-PhD 2014, 10-13 December 2014,Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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decreased, increasing that way the rationality and cost effectiveness of the structure. However, due
to the fact that large database exists with determined fire resistance of elements, conventional
method is, to a certain degree, retained in contemporary European technical regulations.
Upon outbreak of fire, gas temperature in fire compartment develops in stochastic manner. Heat
energy is transferred from fluid air by convection and radiation to surfaces with lower
temperature, i.e. structural elements and boundary elements of fire compartment (floors, ceilings,
walls). Although heat transfer is treated by special field of science, results of that analysis is
important for engineers, because it provides ammount of heat which acts on the unit area of surface
heat flux, which represents input data - loading of the structure. Based on such input data, it is
possible to evaluate temperature development in the element, which represents the basis for further
mechanical analysis. Hence, new approach treat fire action as a hazardeous action and it is
introduced in structural analysis. European standards [2] classify fire action as accidental,
considering probability and frequency of appearance of such actions during the service life of the
object. Analysis is based on limit state, and limit criteria that structure or its part need to meet are in
the strength domain, in the temperature domain, or in the time domain.
Taking everything afore mentioned into account, in this paper comparative analysis of behavior of
axially compressed steel elements was performed. Considered elements were HE-A profile and
squared hollow profile. Comparison was conducted by the following criteria: development of
temperature in elements and reduction of load bearing capacity with temperature increase.
Temperature development was obtained analitically, based on the standard logarithmic curve [3], as
well as numerically, using the Finite Element Method, and ANSYS software, which provides
opportunity of solving thermal problems, among others. In terms of load bearing capacity,
calculation was performed using [3]. It is assumed that elements are located inside the fire
compartment, being that way exposed to fire on all four sides.

2. Steel properties at high temperatures


Analysis of behavior of structural elements in fire conditions comprises of two categories: thermal
and mechanical analysis. With the intention of as realistic analyzing of problem as possible, it is
hence neccessary to know the thermal as well as the mechanical properties of steel at high
temperatures. Steel is classified as non-combustible and non-burning material, but its properties are
significantly reduced at high temperatures. They were obtained based on the experimental testing
[4], and they are included in European standards for steel [3].
2.1 Thermal properties of steel at high temperatures
Thermal properties that are significant for the conducted analysis comprise of: specific heat,
thermal conduction and emissivity.
Specific heat represents amount of heat Q necessary to change the temperature of the body unit
mass m for T=1C. Expression for obtaining specific heat states:
c=

Q
m T

J
kg K

(1)

2nd Conference for PhD students in Civil Engineering


CE-PhD 2014, 10-13 December 2014,Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Figure 1 represents temperature dependent specific heat, obtained from expressions given in [3]. In
temperature range of 700-800 C a sharp increase of the necessary heat occurs, due to crystal phase
change of the steel. Recommendations that can be found in literature [5] state that for simple
calculation models approximate value of 600 J/kgK can be used, since it provides accurate
solutions.

Figure 1. Variation of specific heat of steel


with temperature.

Figure 2. Variation of thermal conductivity


of steel with temperature.

Thermal conductivity represents amount of heat Q transferred during the time t through distance L
in direction perpendicular to cross-section area S with temperature difference of t:
=

Q L

t S t

W
m K

(2)

Steel is characterized by high thermal conductivity, but with temperature increasing thermal
conductivity coefficient decreases, which is presented by curve on Figure 2. For simple calculation
models it is recommended to use coefficicient of thermal conductivity as a constant value of
45W/mK.
In case of elements heated only from one side (when elements are located on fire compartment
boundary) temperature of steel on the opposite, unexposed side will, due to the high thermal
conductivity of steel, in short period of time reach the same temperature as on the fire exposed side.
For that reason, small thermal gradient across the cross-section can be neglected, and uniform
temperature across the cross section assumption can be made. As a consequence, no bending occurs
in elements due to the different temperatures on opposite edges, but only longitudinal deflections
occurs (elongation).
Emissivity is the ability of the material to emit thermal energy through radiation, and it is defined
as the ratio of the radiation emitted by the surface of the material to the radiation emitted by an ideal
black body at the same temperature. Value of the emissivity is in range of 0 to 1. According to
recommendations given in [3], emissivity of steel is taken as 0.7, while emissivity of fire is 1.
2.2 Mechanical properties of steel at high temperatures
Structural analysis requires knowing of the stress-strain diagram for steel at various temperatures

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(Figure 3), as well as variation of the yield limit and the modulus of elasticity with temperature
(Figure 4). From the curve k y, in Figure 4, it is obvious that steel at the temperature of 600 C
loses approximately 50 % of its load-bearing capacity, and the temperature of 1200 C was taken as
the limit at which steel completely loses its load bearing capability.

Figure 3. Stress-strain diagram of steel


at high temperatures.

Figure 4. Reduction factors for mechanical


properties of steel

Density of steel is taken as the constant value of 7850 kg/m3 during the fire exposure, too.

3. Development of temperature in steel elements


Fire compartment is a room or a set of rooms limited with elements (walls, celing, floor and doors)
which have fire resistance required by standards, i.e., it is assumed that in required period of time
fire will be kept within the fire compartment.
Development of gas temperature inside the fire compartment can be obtained using nominal time
temperature curves (standard logarithmic curve) or using natural fire models [2]. Although standard
logarithmic curve does not correspond to real fire curve, it is retained in European standards for its
simplicity and because of the large database with fire resistance of elements obtained using that
same curve. It resulted from the necessity for controlled conditions in testing furnace, which will be
used repeatedly for every element tested. Although such curves do not simulate real fire conditions,
they are convenient for wide practical usage. More realistic view of fire is obtained using natural
fire models. European standards for fire classify fire models as simplified and advanced models.
For simplified models uniform temperature distribution in the compartment through time is
assumed, as well as for nominal curves, but additionally the following parameters are considered:
ventilation conditions, specific fire load and thermal properties of materials used for boundary
elements of fire compartment. Furthermore, cooling phase is taken into account. These fire
conditions are described using parametric curves. On the other side, advanced models (one zone,
two zone, Computational Fluid Dynamic - CFD models), evaluate temperature development in fire
compartment fully in time and space dependent manner. CFD models require application of
software developed for that purpose. One such software is Fire Dynamics Simulator [6]. Analysis
conducted in the paper is limited only to standard logarithmic curve, based on which development
of temperature in elements with time is evaluated.
Based on everything mentioned in this chapter, temperature development in steel elements (HEA
profile and squared hollow profile) were obtained, due to the high temperatures exposure. Curves
are obtained using two approaches: analytic, based on expressions given in [3], and numeric, using

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the Finite Element Method (FEM), and ANSYS software. For the analysis, profiles with nearly the
same cross-section area were chosen: HEA 240, with cross-section area of A=76.80 cm2, and
squared hollow profile with cross-section area of A=74.71cm2. Analogue to supporting boundary
conditions in static analysis, in thermal analysis boundary conditions represent initial value of
temperature of the gas in the fire compartment and on the surfaces of the elements when the fire
starts. In this case both values are taken as T 0 =T m0 =20 C. Standard logarithmic curve is defined by
expression (3):
g =20 + 345 log10 ( 8t + 1)

(3)

3.1 Analytic evaluation of temperature development in steel elements according to EN1993-1-2


Expression for determining temperature increment in unprotected steel element in time interval t
[3] states:
a,t =k sh

Am / V
hnet,d t
c a a

(4)

Section factor A m /V represents ratio between the surface area of the member per unit length A m and
the volume of the member per unit length V. For considered elements section factors are:
-

for HE-A profile:


for squared hollow profile:

A m /V=178,24
A m /V=107,08.

These values indicate that, with nearly the same volume per unit length, HE-A profiles have slightly
higher value of the surface area per unit length directly exposed to fire. However, shadow effect
takes into account surfaces of the elements that are not directly exposed to fire, but are slightly
sheltered, which is the case with jagged profiles, such are I or HE-A profiles, while for squared
hollow profiles that effect doesnt exist. Value of the correction factor for the shadow effect for I
and similar profiles is obtained from expression (5), while for squared hollow profiles value of the
factor is 1.
k=
0.9
sh

[ A m / V ]b
[ Am / V ]

[A m /V] b - box value of the section factor [1/m].


k sh =0,62 - for HE-A profile
k sh =1
- for squared hollow profile

Figure 5 Section factor for a) HE-A profile and b) squared hollow profile

(5)

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By multiplying section factors for both elements with shaddow effect factor k sh , approximately the
same values are obtained (k sh,HE-A =110,50 k sh,[] =107.08). Considering the fact that remaining
parameters in expression (4) are the same in both cases, it can be concluded that temperature
increment for both profiles during the time interval t will be nearly the same.
Heat flux h net,d comprises of the components of heat flux due to convection h net,c and due to
radiation h net,r , and represents amount of heat energy that acts on the unit area of the material
surface.
Time interval t is, based on the recommendation given in [3], taken as 5 s. Based on expression
(4), using tabular processing of data in Microsoft Excel, temperature was evaluated for the first 60
min upon outbreak of fire. Further, obtained results will be presented in the form of time
temperature curves.
Time-temperature curves for the gas in fire compartment and in the steel elements are presented
simultaneously on Figure 6-a. Time-temperature curves for the HE-A profiles, taking the shadow
effect into account and neglecting it, are presented on Figure 6-b. Comparison of results for specific
heat taken as a variable and as a constant value according to recommendations given in [5], is
presented on Figure 6-c.

a)

b)

c)

Figure 6 a) Temperature development in elements; b) influence of the shadow effect;


c) Influence of specific heat
3.2 Numerical evaluation of temperature development in steel elements
Numerical calculation of steel temperature evolution was conducted using FEM and ANSYS
software, which is convenient for analyzing of thermal problems. For modeling, shell finite
element was used, suitable for simulating conduction through element thickness, as well as in-plane
thermal conduction. Material properties are entered as temperature dependent, as it was explained in
Section 2.

a)

b)

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Figure 7 Element temperatures after 60 min exposure: a) HE-A profile ; b) [] profile

a)

b)

Figure 8 Time-temperature curves for elements: a) HE-A profile; b) [] profile


Element temperatures after 60 min of exposure to fire are presented on Figure 7. Temperature
development through time is presented on Figure 8.

4. Structural analysis of behavior of columns


Thermal analysis, which provides time-temperature curve for steel elements, combined with
structural analysis, which provides critical temperature of steel, as a result provide fire resistance of
an element [1]. In this section, one of the criteria mentioned in the first section will be analyzed
criteria of the strength limit state. Eurocode 3 provides methods for determining design resistance of
elements in fire conditions, depending on the stress state in the elements themselves. For elements
subjected to compression, for cross-section classes 1, 2, and 3, design buckling resistance in fire
conditions is determined by:
Nb , fi, t ,Rd = A k y , fy / M, fi

(6)

For considered elements, dependence of the load bearing capacity from temperature was obtained
using expression (6), Figure 9. Based on this curve, load bearing capacity after the time period
representing the fire resistance required by standards is determined, and it is compared with the
design value for actions in fire conditions.

2nd Conference for PhD students in Civil Engineering


CE-PhD 2014, 10-13 December 2014,Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Figure 9 Reduction of load bearing capacity of an element with temperature increment

5. Review of the results and conclusions


Based on the analysis conducted in the paper, a few conclusions and recommendations for practical
application can be obtained. From the curve in Figure 7, it can be concluded that, by taking the
shadow effect into account for jagged profiles, lower increment of temperature is obtained, which
influences on the rationality of the structure, while by neglecting it, more conservative solutions are
obtained. From the curve in Figure 8 it is obvious that no significant differences occur if specific
heat is taken as the constant value and as a variable, except in the region of 700-800 C, when
structural phase change occurs. However, for practical application this deviation does not have
influence on final results, so the authors have the opininon that such approximation is justified.
Time-temperature curves for both profiles are matching (Figure 6-a), which is verified by numerical
results (Figure 8). Furthermore, from Figure 9 it can be seen that curves are approximately parallel,
i.e., percentual loss of the load bearing capacity is the same in both cases, which is directly
dependent only on mechanical properties reduction, and not on the profile type.
It can be concluded that in terms of thermal and structural analysis, choice between the two
considered profiles does not have influence on rationality of the structure. Hence, as well as in
normal conditions, squared hollow profiles can be characterized as more convenient for compressed
members, due to the higher resistance to the loss of stability.
This paper is limited only to nominal time-temperature curves for gas in fire compartment, which
are more convenient for practical usage. More realistic overview of fire conditions can be obtained
by using of natural fire models. Thus, temperature development in elements could be more
precisely determined, which can be subject for further investigation in this field.

6. References
[1] Buevac D, Markovi Z, Bogavac D, Toi D. Steel structures, Faculty of civil engineering, University
of Belgrade, 1999.
[2] EN 1991-1-2:2002. General actions Actions on structures exposed to fire
[3] EN 1993-1-2:2005. General rules Structural fire design
[4] Schleich J.B.: Maximum stress level of structural steel in function of the temperature strain hardening
included through numerical simulations of uniformly heated steel beams during transient state bending
tests, Working documents, Luxembourg, 1988-1989.
[5] Purkiss J.A, Fire safety engineering, Design of structures, 2nd ed.Oxford: Elsevier 2007.

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