Performance-Based Design of Fire-Exposed Reinforced Concrete Elements using an Equivalent Standard Fire

Author

Robert T. Kuehnen, The University of Western OntaroFollow

Degree

Master of Engineering Science

Program

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Supervisor

Youssef, Maged A.

Abstract

Fire events represent one of the most severe loading scenarios for reinforced concrete (RC) buildings. In lieu of intensive computational analysis, designers need simplified methods to assess RC members exposed to natural fires. This thesis focuses on the development of a time equivalent (t_e) to replace a natural fire with an equivalent standard fire, allowing for the implementation of existing simplified analysis methods.

The proposed t_e is based on the average internal temperature profile (AITP) that develops in a section during fire. Two AITP t_e are proposed to accurately or conservatively approximate the AITP of natural fire exposed sections. A size adjustment factor (φ_size) is also proposed to account for the influence of section dimensions. Suitability of the AITP t_e in the performance-based fire design of RC beams and columns was examined based on the relationships of moment-curvature, axial load & axial strain, and moment capacity & axial load capacity.

Recommended Citation

Kuehnen, Robert T., "Performance-Based Design of Fire-Exposed Reinforced Concrete Elements using an Equivalent Standard Fire" (2019). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 6097.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/6097