Numerical Investigations on the Performance of Axially Restrained Concrete-Filled Steel Columns Subjected to Fire Loads

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a numerical study on the performance of axially loaded concrete-filled steel columns subjected to fire loads, whose thermal expansion is restrained by the adjacent structural members. The study investigates the effect of three important parameters on the temperature distribution, axial displacements, lateral displacement and column failure temperature, namely: the axially restraint stiffness level, the initially applied column load level and the in-filled concrete strength. The finite element method with a nonlinear analysis is used to model the column using the software package SAFIR. The results show that the presence of the in-filled concrete in the column enhances the fire resistance of the column. On the other hand, the results exhibit that axial restraint can significantly reduce the fire resistance of a column based on the stiffness of this restraint. Based on the results obtained, interaction curves between the applied axial load and the corresponding failure temperatures are presented to be a convenient tool for engineers to quickly assess the column fire resistance.
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