Fire resistance of fixed-ended stainless steel tubular columns

Abstract

This paper presents an accurate finite element model (FEM) for the structural performance of fixed-ended stainless steel tubular columns at elevated temperatures. The finite element analysis was conducted on stainless steel columns having rectangular and square hollow sections. The column strengths, failure modes and load-axial shortening curves of the columns were obtained from the finite element analysis. The non-linear FEM was verified against experimental results. An extensive parametric study was carried out using the verified FEM to study the effects of cross-section geometries, plate thickness, effective column length and temperature on the strengths and failure modes of the columns. The parametric study provides a pool of data for the development of design rules for fixed-ended stainless steel tubular columns at elevated temperatures. © 2007 Civil-Comp Press.