The First Code on Fire Safety of Steel Structures in China

Abstract

This chapter introduces the first code on fire safety of steel structures in China, which is based on the achievements of the research. Tongji University is the leading institution in China conducting fire-resistance research on steel construction that has made significant achievements. A simple formula is obtained for predicting the temperature elevation of steel members subjected to the standard fire employed by ISO834. For safety of steel structures against fire, the strength and stability of all the structural members at high temperature caused by fire should be in the safety range. To meet the requirements, research on fire safety check for fire resistance has been conducted at Tongji University for several members: axially compressed members, bended members with flee compressive flange, bended members with confined compressive flange, and simultaneously compressed and bended members. Simple formulae are obtained for safety check of the above-mentioned members, which are employed in the Shanghai Technical Code on Fire Safety of Steel Structures. Several experiments are conducted on full-scale steel beams and columns exposed to fire to calibrate the formulae for fire-resistant safety.