Fire tests on single-layer aluminum alloy reticulated shells with gusset joints

Abstract

Eight structural fire tests on an aluminum alloy shell specimen are conducted in this paper. Firstly, the test program is described in detail. Then, test results, including the test phenomenon, the temperature-time curves, and the displacement-time curves, are exhibited. In the structural fire tests, the specimen under ventilation-controlled fires had greater thermal and structural responses. The maximum measured air temperature was 128 ℃, and the maximum temperature of the members and the gusset plates were 85 ℃ and 80 ℃, respectively. The specimen performed arching during the test process, and the maximum displacement was smaller than the restriction value for the serviceability limit state in existing design codes. After all the tests, no damage that would influence the structural behavior was observed. Subsequently, based on the test results, two approaches, namely the empirical formula and the field simulation, are proved to be useful to predict the non-uniform temperature distribution. Finally, the global deformation patterns, the distribution of internal forces, and the variation of the ultimate bearing capacity of the shell specimen, are analyzed through numerical analysis. The results indicated that the fire located at the corner is more disadvantageous to the specimen.