Fire resistance of steel structures, incorporating HSS - review and recommendations

Abstract

Numerous experiments have been conducted to investigate the mechanical properties of high strength steel (HSS) at elevated temperatures. In this paper, test data in literatures on mechanical properties of HSS with strength grades from 355 MPa to 960 MPa at room and elevated temperatures were comprehensively summarized. Recent studies demonstrated that the downward trends of the reduction factors of Young's modulus and yield strength vary with the steel grade. In addition, an extensive review of experimental, numerical and theoretical studies performed on the fire resistance of high strength steel structures is presented. Various types of buckling under different loading conditions and the influence of different factors affecting the ultimate capacity and critical temperature of members are discussed. The research results show that existing fire design standards need to be updated to be applicable to HSS structures. The corresponding findings are summarized, and the research gaps as well as recommendations are discussed. Conclusively, the ultimate objective of this review is to promote the wide adoption of HSS structures in practice.