Effect of cooling rate on the post-fire behavior of CFST column

Abstract

The post-fire behavior of structural elements and the cooling process has always been one of the main concerns of the structural engineers. The structures can be cooled at different rates, where they affect the structure‟s behavior. In the present study, a numerical model has been developed using the Abaqus program to investigate the effect of cooling rate on the post-fire behavior of the CFST column. To verify the model, results of an experimental study performed on CFST columns within a full heating and cooling cycle have been used. In this model, coMParison of the residual strength has been employed in order to examine the behavior of CFST column under different cooling rates. Furthermore, a parametric study was carried out on the strength of steel and concrete, the height of the specimens, the axial load ratio and the cross-sectional shape of the specimen through the proposed model. It was observed that the cooling rate affects the behavior of the column after the fire, and thus the higher the specimen\'s temperature is, the more effect it has on the behavior. It was also noticed that water cooling had slightly more residual strength than natural cooling. Furthermore, it was recognized from the parametric study, that by increasing the strength of steel and concrete and the load ratio, as well as modifying the cross-sectional shape from circular to square, residual strength of column at the cooling phase was less than that of the heating phase. In addition, with reducing column height, no change was witnessed in the column behavior after the cooling phase.