Analysis of Restrained Composite Perforated Beams during Fire Using a Hybrid Simulation Approach

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the behaviour of restrained perforated beams acting compositely with a profiled slab during a fire. These members are increasingly popular in the construction of long-span floor systems as they provide a structurally and materially efficient design solution and provide space for placement of building services. However, their response during a fire has received little attention from the research community until recently. In the current work, a hybrid simulation-type numerical approach is adopted using a combination of the OpenSEES, ABAQUS and OpenFresco software. The accuracy of the model is validated using available fire test data whereby the temperatures measured during the experiments are directly applied in the numerical model at various locations. The effect of axial and rotational restraint due to the connections between the beams and columns is also investigated following validation of the model. Furthermore, the hybrid simulation approach is employed to study a number of salient parameters, including load ratios, material grade and the location of the openings. The variation in axial force during the fire is also examined. Various failure modes are observed during the analysis including flexural and shear failure, failure of the web-post, concrete crushing and also a Vierendeel mechanism. The fire resistance of the analysed beams is compared with the values obtained from the most common design codes. Due to the consideration of restraint forces, which are not included in the design codes, the resistances predicted by the finite element simulations are more favourable. It is found that the location of the openings along the span and also the boundary conditions have a considerable effect on the time-displacement behaviour, axial reactions, web-post buckling behaviour as well as the fire performance of the perforated beam.

OpenFIRE: An Open Computational Framework for Structural Response to Real Fires

“…Some of the earliest efforts in explaining the findings of the full-scale Cardington tests, primarily through simulation and modelling, were by Bailey [19], Rose et al [20], Wang [21], and Huang et al [22]. The Cardington tests allowed the validation of a number of finite element software packages and simulation approaches such as ABAQUS, Vulcan [22], SAFIR [7], ADAPTIC [23] and hybrid simulation approach [24][25][26]. The collapse of the WTC towers on 11 September 2001 spurred on further studies on progressive collapse of tall buildings in fire.…”

Response of restrained stainless steel corrugated web beams at elevated temperature

“…Recently, there have been a number of studies conducted to understand the development and contribution that is made by catenary action in restrained beams at elevated temperature [22][23][24][25]. In addition, virtual hybrid simulations were performed by Khan et al [26][27][28] to understand the effect of catenary action on the behaviour of restrained composite beams in fire. Simplified design equations were proposed by Yin and Wang [22] to quantify the catenary effect in steel beams exposed to uniform and non-uniform temperature distribution.…”