Thermal creep of shear tab connection assemblies under transient-state temperatures of fire

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to investigate the thermal creep behavior of steel frame assemblies with shear tab connections subjected to transient-state fire temperatures. Different key parameters are investigated to study their effect on the global response of the steel frames in fire. Design/methodology/approach Finite element (FE) models of connection assemblies are first analyzed using Abaqus under transient-state temperature conditions and validated against experimental work available in the literature. Upon acquiring the validated conditions, parametric studies are carried out to study the effect of key geometric and heating parameters on the overall response of the frame assembly to fire temperatures. Thermal creep material is also incorporated in the analyses through a user-defined subroutine, and a comparison between including and excluding creep material is illustrated to show the effect of thermal creep on the structural behavior. Findings The results reported herein indicate that having a rigid column increases the thermal-induced axial forces, thus increasing the development of thermal creep strains. Slow heating rates can cause axial stress relaxation in the restrained beam and increase the mid-span deflection and consequently the development of beam catenary action. The results also show that reaching higher initial cooling temperatures and having longer cooling phase durations result in more tensile forces at the end of the cooling phase. Originality/value Previous studies were limited to isolated steel connections under steady-state conditions. This study investigates the creep behavior of shear tab connection assemblies under transient-state conditions of fire when creep effects are explicitly considered. This can provide a rational and realistic assessment of the steel behavior in fire events.