Studies on semi-continuous composite beams with non-uniform f re protection

Abstract

An innovative type of non-uniform arrangements of f re protection materials is proposed for efficient fire protection to semi-continuous composite beams. The f re protection is arranged according to applied bending moments and shear forces. Heavy f re protection is applied in high bending and shear regions, while relative thin or even no f re protection is applied in low bending regions. Different failure modes are identified from the results of finite element analyses under different combinations of temperature profiles in both heavily and less f re-protected regions. A simple design approach is then proposed to predict load carrying capacities of semi-continuous composite beams for each of the identified failure modes. A parametric study is conducted thereafter to optimise the arrangements of fire protection materials. © Institution of Engineers Australia, 2011.