Investigating the fire performance of LSF wall systems using finite element analyses

Abstract

Purpose This research was aimed at investigating the fire performance of LSF wall systems by using 3-D heat transfer FE models of existing LSF wall system configurations. Design/methodology/approach This research was focused on investigating the fire performance of LSF wall systems by using 3-D heat transfer finite element models of existing LSF wall system configurations. The analysis results were validated by using the available fire test results of five different LSF wall configurations. Findings The validated finite element models were used to conduct a parametric study on a range of non-load bearing and load bearing LSF wall configurations to predict their fire resistance levels (FRLs) for varying load ratios. Originality/value Fire performance of LSF wall systems with different configurations can be understood by performing full-scale fire tests. However, these full-scale fire tests are time consuming, labour intensive and expensive. On the other hand, finite element analysis (FEA) provides a simple method of investigating the fire performance of LSF wall systems to understand their thermal-mechanical behaviour. Recent numerical research studies have focused on investigating the fire performances of LSF wall systems by using finite element (FE) models. Most of these FE models were developed based on 2-D FE platform capable of performing either heat transfer or structural analysis separately. Therefore, this paper presents the details of a 3-D FEA methodology to develop the capabilities to perform fully-coupled thermal-mechanical analyses of LSF walls exposed to fire in future.

10.12: Numerical modelling of steel sheathed LSF walls under fire conditions

“…The rise in ambient surface temperatures in S1- [2] and S1- [5] can partially be attributed to this. Both internally and externally steel sheathed walls (Models S1- [3] and [6]) are adversely affected by all the above described phenomena. They dissipate less thermal radiation to the outside environment as well as into the wall cavity.…”

“…Solid-to-solid tie constraints were assigned to the identified contact pairs to allow for heat transfer through conduction. Elevated temperature thermal properties of gypsum plasterboard proposed by Rusthi et al [6] were used. For Rockwool, thermal conductivity proposed by Keerthan and Mahendran [7], along with constant specific heat and density values of 840J/(kg°C) and 100kg/m 3 , respectively, were used.…”

“…All wall configurations considered in this series are double plasterboard following paragraph provides descriptions of these wall configurations. Internal steel sheathing S2- [3] Corrugated steel sheet sandwiched between plasterboards Rusthi et al [6] showed that provision of an additional plasterboard strip, usually of vertically along the stud surface delayed the stud temperature rise. This back used to eliminate the contact between the internal steel sheathing and the stud.…”

“…FE thermal models were developed to simulate the heat transfer across LSF walls exposed to ISO 834-1 [5] standard fire curve on one side. , S1-[2], S1- [3] Single plasterboard Internal, External, Internal + External S1- [4], S1- [5], S1- [6] Double plasterboard Internal, External, Internal + External S1- [7], S1- [8], S1- [9] Cavity insulated double plasterboard Internal, External, Internal + External…”

07.31: Fire performance of LSF walls with web stiffened channel sections using finite element analysis

“…3, are the locations at which plasterboard temperatures were extracted for discussions. Thermal conductivity, specific heat, and relative density properties of gypsum plasterboards were proposed by different past studies [13][14][15]. Plasterboard thermal properties proposed by Rusthi et al [14] were used in this study.…”