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
*
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.
Q
m T
J
kg K
(1)
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.
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
(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.
Density of steel is taken as the constant value of 7850 kg/m3 during the fire exposure, too.
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)
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:
-
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 ]
Figure 5 Section factor for a) HE-A profile and b) squared hollow profile
(5)
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)
a)
b)
a)
b)
(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.
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.