Tensile membrane effects of concrete slabs in fire

Abstract

This paper presents an energy-based model to determine the limit load-carrying capacity of concrete slab at elevated temperatures. This model considers the plastic energy dissipation both due to the resultant moment rotation and the extension of reinforcement along the yield line after the formation of the mechanism of the plastic hinge line in fire. The model could predict the load-carrying capacity of either rectangular or square concrete slabs with both orthotropic and isotropic reinforcement, and could interpret why failure of fracture of reinforcement is along the short span and occurred at both ambient and elevated temperatures. Comparison between the developed model and test results shows good correlation.