Evaluation of Alternative Methods for Fire Rating Structural Elements.
Evaluation of Alternative Methods for Fire Rating
Structural Elements.
(5528 K)
Gilvary, K. R.; Dexter, R. J.
NIST GCR 97-718; ATLSS Report No. 97-05; 102 p. June
1997.
Sponsor:
National Institute of Standards and Technology,
Gaithersburg, MD
Available from:
National Technical Information Service
(NTIS), Technology Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161.
Telephone:
1-800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000;
Fax: 703-605-6900.
Website: http://www.ntis.gov
Order number: PB97-184055
Keywords:
structural members; structural systems; fire ratings;
fire resistance rating; furnaces; load capacity; steel
columns
Abstract:
A range of computational methods were evaluated for
predicting the load capacity of structures subjected to
fire. Results were compared to furnace experiments on
loaded steel columns and concrete filled tubes. Simple
calculations are accurate for simple cases such as steel
columns at uniform temperature. Special-purpose
finite-element software, SAFIR, was also accurate for
members with nonuniform temperature distributions and/or
composite cross-sections. SAFIR simulations of a
continuous frame showed that it withstood three times
the fire-exposure duration predicted from column furnace
testing. Computational methods could serve as an
alternative to the furnace test method for determining
fire resistance ratings.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899