Fire Resistance and Collapse Mechanisms of 2D Steel Moment Frames: A Numerical Study

Document Type : Regular Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Qom, Qom, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Qom, Qom, Iran

Abstract

This study investigates the behavior of steel moment-resisting frames under fire conditions, focusing on the structural response of three- and nine-story frames exposed to high temperatures. The analysis evaluates the effects of elevated temperatures on deflections, internal forces, and inter-story drifts. Various fire scenarios are considered, with a fire duration of 120 minutes and a maximum temperature of 1050°C. The results reveal significant inter-story drifts, deflections in mid span of beams and substantial changes in internal forces of beams and columns. The columns are highly susceptible to buckling due to thermal expansion and reduced material properties. The results highlight the importance of focusing on columns and lower-to-mid-level stories in fire safety evaluations, as these components are more prone to failure and can significantly influence the overall structural stability. The strengths of this study lie in its thorough analysis of multiple fire scenarios and its precise identification of critical failure points, offering a robust foundation for advancing fire-resistant design methodologies. These findings have significant practical implications, as they provide engineers with valuable insights for enhancing the safety and performance of steel moment-resisting frames under fire conditions.

Highlights

  • Critical fire scenarios for steel frames were identified.
  • Collapse Mechanisms of Steel Moment Frames were investigated.
  • Excessive beam deflections rates due to fire were calculated and compared.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 09 February 2025
  • Revise Date: 02 March 2025
  • Accept Date: 16 March 2025

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