Performance of axially restrained carbon and stainless steel perforated beams at elevated temperatures

Abstract

This article compares the fire performance of axially restrained perforated carbon and austenitic stainless steel composite beams with circular and rectangular web openings. Finite element models, validated against experimental tests from the literature, were used to perform parametric analysis. The beams were analysed under various levels of load ratio and axial restraint stiffness covering the ranges which may exist in practice. It is concluded that austenitic stainless steel perforated beams show a more ductile fire response compared to carbon steel beams of similar geometry. It is shown that despite stainless steel’s higher thermal expansion, the beams exhibit lower thermal-induced peak compressive forces than carbon steel beams giving rise to lower levels of thermal-induced compressive force on the adjacent cold structures. The load ratio was found to determine the relative survivability of stainless steel and carbon steel beams, where at load ratios lower than 0.6, stainless steel beams show superior fire resistance than their carbon steel counterparts. The article also assesses the applicability and accuracy of the Steel Construction Institute method for the design of carbon and stainless steel perforated beams, and recommendations for future improvements are made.

Mechanical Behavior of High-Strength Bolted Joints Fabricated from Fire-Resistant Steel at Elevated Temperatures

“…Hanus et al [11] investigated the mechanical behavior of high-strength grade 8.8 bolts under the situation of "nature fre," which means a temperature history including both heating and cooling phases. Kodur et al [12], Hu et al [13], Lange and Kawohl [14], and Moreno and Baddoo [15] studied the performance deterioration and failure mechanisms of high-strength bolts made of diferent materials (such as A325, A490, and stainless steel [16]) under fre. Ohlund et al [17] discussed the physical properties of ultra-high-strength bolts at elevated temperatures from the perspective of microstructure.…”

Response of restrained stainless steel corrugated web beams at elevated temperature

“…There are only a handful of studies on the behaviour of CSCWBs exposed to fire, and no information, to date, on the fire response of SSCWBs. Though there are many studies conducted to understand the structural response of carbon steel members under fire exposure [14][15][16][17]. Kim et al [18] performed fire resistance tests on prestressed composite beams with corrugated webs and slim floor beams.…”