Post Fire Assessment Model for Reinforced Concrete Structures

Post Fire Assessment Model

Presented by Usman Choudhry Wasif Amjad Omer Abid Adnan Rais Ahmed Adil Javed CE-85 CECE-99 CECE-96 CECE-135 CECE-89 CEProject supervisor Prof. Dr. S.F.A. Rafeeqi Co-Supervisor CoMs. Tehmina Ayub

Presentation Outline
Title of the project. The objectives of the project. The scope of the project. Acquired knowledge base. The development of strategic model. Operation of software. Case scenario.

OBJECTIVES
Proposing a model for the assessment of buildings affected by fire. Providing a platform for further study & research for assessment and evaluation of buildings affected by fire.

SCOPE
Forensic study of Reinforced Concrete Buildings (commercial & residential) subjected to fire. To identify extent of damage to structural elements based on temperature estimates. To prescribe rating to individual structural elements.

STRATEGY USED FOR DEVELOPMENT OF MODEL

Develop a knowledge base through detailed study. Defining scope and objective. Identification of relevant parameters to be incorporated in generic model of assessment.

Post Fire Assessment Model Acquired Knowledge Base

Temperature Effects on Physical & Chemical Structure of Concrete

Loss of evaporable water. Dehydration and conversion. Porosity. Melting

Factors Affecting Compressive Strength of Concrete at High Temperatures

WaterWater-cement ratio. Type of aggregate. Age of specimens. Rate of heating & cooling. Loading. Cooling of specimens Effect of cement blend Moisture content

DAMAGING EFFECTS OF FIRE ON CONCRETE

Minor cosmetic blemishes. External cracking. Delamination and spalling. Internal micro cracking. Chemical changes within concrete. Strength reduction.

PERFORMANCE OF REINFORCEMENT IN FIRE

Strength of steel at a given temperature can be predicted with reasonable confidence. Steel bars need to be protected from exposures to temperature in excess of 250-300c. 250Concrete and steel exhibit similar thermal expansions up to a temperature of 400c. Creating impermeable regions where moisture may be trapped. Alters the heat flow near the reinforcement tending to reduce the temperature. High thermal conductivity resulting in considerable expansion crippling the structural system.

Post Fire Assessment Model

Development Of Model

Methodology For Project & Development Of Model

Development of Performa on the basis of thorough literature review from scientific journals, books and research papers. Development of model through software techniques on the basis of information collected through the survey performa.

INPUT INFORMATION

CAUSES PRODUCT MODEL

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

HISTORY OF BUILDING BEFORE FIRE

STUDY OF AFFECTED BUILDING AFTER FIRE

OTHER PARAMETERS

Temperature

Color change

Changes in physical appearances

Unaffected

Concrete condition
Unaffected

O to 290C

none

290 to 590C

Pink to red

Surface cracking at 300C. Deep cracking at 550C. Spalling and exposing reinforcement at 800C. Powdered , light colored dehydrated paste at 900C Extensive spalling

Sound but strength significantly reduced. Weak and friable.

590c to 950C

Whitish grey

950C and above

Buff

Weak and friable.

Temperature and deflection curves for reinforced concrete beams.

Strength reduction factor for concrete and steel

BS time-temperature curve time-

Material
Polystyrene Lead

Examples & condition

Curtain hooks; radio cases melts or flows Plumbing lead; storage batteries with edges rounded or drops formed Plumbing fixtures; galvanized surfaces with drops formed Small machine parts; brackets; toilet fixtures; cooking utensils with drops formed Glass blocks; jars & bottles; solid ornaments softened or rounded Glass blocks; jars & bottles; solid ornaments thoroughly flowed

Temperature
121 C 300 to 350 C

Zinc

400 C

Aluminum

650 C

Molded glass

700 to 750 C

800 C

Material
Sheet glass

Examples & condition

Softened or rounded Window glass; plate glass; reinforced glass Thoroughly flowed Window glass; plate glass; reinforced glass

Temperature
700 to 800

850 C

Silver

Rounded edges or drop formed on Jewelry; coins; tableware Knobs; locks; lamp fixtures with rounded edges or drops formed Rounded edges or drops formed on art objects Rounded edges or drops formed on electrical wiring Drops formed on pipes; radiators; machine pedestals and housings

950 C

Brass

900 to 1000 C

Bronze Copper Cast iron

1000 C 1100 C 1100 to 1200 C

Post Fire Assessment Model

st 1

Tier Survey Performa

The

st 1

Tier Survey Performa

The aim is to achieve an approximate temperature range achieved during the fire to assess the severity of the damages in the structure Based on the physical aspects of deterioration of architectural and structural elements Collect information related to the location, zoning, and the position of the building, which might be of importance in evaluating the severity of the subject

The first page is provided for the surveyor to sketch a plan, to mark the effected structural members in the fire affected area.

The first two pages and initial part of third page, of the 1st Tier Survey Performa, allows the surveyor to collect the general information of the building, which may come in handy for investigative purposes.

The later part of the 3rd page collects information about the major damage to the equipment present in the building and estimated area of damage in the compartment.

The 4th page of the Performa outlines the observations in the fire compartment, specifying the fire origin, use of compartment and the ventilation parameters.

The initial part of the 5th page describes the physical condition of the compartment after the fire, referring the damages to the structure.

The later part of the 5th page and the 6th page collects information of the affected minor items in the room (if present), which would be beneficial in estimating the temperature in the compartment.

The 7th, 8th and 9th page contains data for the structural members present, to assess the severity of the damage in these members, to obtain a decision of the level of repairs required for the members.

Post Fire Assessment Model

nd 2

Tier Survey Performa

The 2nd Tier survey performa is based on interviewing the witnesses and referring the specifications. These may provide approximate evaluation of the damage after the fire, when compared to the initial conditions.

Post Fire Assessment Model

Assessment Software

The Assessment Model

The purpose of the model would be to estimate an approx temperature range in the compartment. Obtain reduction factors, using the temperature range, from the standard fire testing curves, so that the approximate residual capacity could be assessed And then use the above information in accordance with the observed severity of the structure to suggest the rating of repairs for the structural component

The Assessment Model

The model has been designed using Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0, as the front end, and Microsoft Access as the backend The software provides a database, which saves all the entries made, to maintain a record. There is space provided to hook up further enchancements, that would further refine the software.

The menu is the first startup form that appears after the validation of the password It provides an enhancement to access previously assessed records. On starting a new assessment project, a dialog box appears, providing a link to input the data obtained from the survey performas.

The 1st tier survey requires the number of structural members, affected by the fire. After this the 1st tier survey form appears, so that data from the Performa could be fed. The information from the form is categorized here, so that it would be easy to access it on requirement.

Once the 1st tier survey form is filled out, the 1st tier option is disabled and the analysis can be performed. The 2nd tier survey form is an optional form, to further refine the assessment.

The analysis is presented in a form, showing the mean temperature assessment of the compartment and the structural components, along with the rating of repairs.

Post Fire Assessment Model Application of the Software through an Assumed Scenario

The Assumed Scenario

The scenario proposes a fire in an office compartment, located in the new academic block The fire initiated on 11th Sept 2008 at 9 am, due to a short circuit. On interviewing the witnesses, it was found that the fire had lasted for about 75 mins. Due to unavailability of fire fighting equipment, fire was extinguished by water.