International developments in design for structural fire safety

Abstract

This paper describes international developments in the design of structures to resist severe fires. Interest in this topic has been rapidly growing since the collapse of the World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001. Design for fire safety must be based on clearly established objectives. Structural design is only part of the overall provision of fire safety. Non-structural fire safety must be included as part of a comprehensive fire safety strategy. Structural design for fire conditions must consider many different fire scenarios, with realistic assessment of possible fire conditions. To predict the structural behaviour of a building during fire, it is necessary to know the expected severity of the fire and the response of the structural materials. This paper reviews the main factors affecting fire development and the performance of steel, concrete and timber structures in severe fires, from a structural engineering perspective. Structural analysis and design of buildings in fire conditions is more complex than for normal temperature conditions.