Structural Post-Fire Behaviour of the Steel I-Shape Beams-to-Cylindrical Columns

Abstract

Previous researchers have tried to predict the response of different types of structures under elevated temperatures. The results are important in preventing the collapse of buildings in fire. Post-fire status of the structures is also of interest for ensuring the safety of rescue workers during the fire and in the post-fire situations. Determining the extent of the structural damage left behind a fire event is necessary to draw up adequate repair plans. Connections play an important role on the fire performance of different structures. Due to the high cost of fire tests, adequate experimental data about a broad range of connections is not available. A vulnerable type of such connections to fire is the weld connections between I-shape beams and cylindrical columns in oil platform topsides. Considering the high probability of fire in oil platforms, study of the behaviour of these connections at elevated temperatures and in the post-fire, is of great importance. In the current study, eight small scale experimental fire tests on welded connections between I-shape beams and cylindrical columns have been conducted. Four tests are aimed at investigating the structural performance of this connection at elevated temperature. In other tests, post-fire behaviour of these connections has been studied to investigate their residual structural strength.