Post-fire mechanical properties of stainless steel cables

Abstract

During the heating process of a fire test, most test specimens are in a stress-free state, while the components of the actual structures are often in a complex state of stress, particularly for pre-stressed members such as steel cables. To reflect the actual fire conditions of stainless steel cables and explore the effects of stress levels on the mechanical properties of stainless steel cables after high temperatures, this study examines the residual mechanical properties of a stainless steel cable after high temperatures. A fire test on stainless steel cables at different stress levels was conducted, and subsequently, the static tensile test at room temperature (30°C) was conducted for the specimens after firing and after natural air cooling. The elastic modulus, tensile strength, yield strength, fracture strain, and stress-strain curves of the stainless steel cables under different temperature-stress conditions were obtained. The mechanical properties of stainless steel cables after a high temperature were compared with those of carbon steel cables and other stainless steel materials. The equations to predict the mechanical properties of a stainless steel cable after a high temperature are provided, and it can provide a reference for the safety assessment and replacement of pre-stressed structures after a fire.