Abstract
This paper describes a recent development in a finite element software dedicated to the modeling of structures in fire which deals with the way connections are simulated in global structure analyses. This development allows modeling semi-rigid, temperature-dependent connections between beam-type finite elements. It relies on the definition of additional internal degrees of freedom in the elements. The objective is to enable efficient analysis of the influence of semi-rigid connections on the global structural response and on the demands for these connections. The theory and implementation are described in a geometrically non-linear software with large displacements. Then, a 3D frame structure is analyzed as a case study. The analyses show that structural capacity and failure mode depend on the degree of rotational restraint at the beam-column connections and at the base of the columns. The maximum fire resistance is obtained for an intermediate degree of restraint between beams and columns, while higher restraints lead to an unfavorable sway failure mode. The case study illustrates the capabilities introduced by the new development, and demonstrates that the effects of the connections on global response is complex, justifying the need for practical numerical methods for design and parametric analyses of structures in fire.
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