Residual post fire strength of non-prismatic perforated beams

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to assess the performance and residual strength of post-fire non-prismatic reinforced concrete beams (NPRC) with and without openings. To do this, nine beams were cast and divided into three major groupings. These groups were classified based on the degrees of heating exposure temperature chosen (ambient, 400, and 700°C), with each group containing three non-prismatic beams (solid, 8 trapezoidal openings, and 8 circular openings). Experimentally, given the same beam geometry, increasing burning temperature caused degradation in NPRC beams, which was reflected in increased mid-span deflection throughout the fire exposure period and also residual deflection after cooling. But on the other hand, the issue with existing openings was exacerbated. The burned NPRC beams were then gradually cooled down by leaving them at ambient temperature in the laboratory, and the beams were loaded until failure to examine the effect of burning temperature degree on the residual ultimate load-carrying capacity of each beam by comparing them to unburned reference beams. It was found, increasing the exposure temperature leads to a reduction in ultimate strength about (5.7 and 10.84%) for solid NPRC beams exposed to 400 and 700°C, respectively related to unburned one, (21.13 -32.8) % for NPRC beams with eight trapezoidal openings, and (10.5 - 12.8) % for those having 8 circular openings. At higher loading stage the longitudinal compressive strain of Group ambient in mid-span of solid beams reach 2700 με, while the others with openings exhibit divergent strain higher than that, it’s about 3300 με meanwhile, the lower chord main reinforcements have been pass beyond yielding stress. Exposure to high temperatures reduces rafters’ stiffness causing a reduction in load carrying capacity, companion with premature failure consequently reduce the strain at the ultimate stage.