Numerical analysis of thin steel plates loaded in shear at non-uniform elevated temperatures

• Steel plate analysis under shear loading at non-uniform elevated temperatures
• Design method for non-uniform temperature distributions
• Behaviour of steelbeam in fire situation

The shear resistance of thin steel plate consists of three components: shear buckling, tension field and contribution of the flanges. This paper considers the first two. The shear resistance of steel plate at elevated temperatures is known when temperature is constant. However, in many practical applications temperature distribution across the plate is non-uniform. This paper presents the results of a finite element (FE) analysis of 12 steel plates at 18 non-uniform temperatures. A design method for predicting the shear resistance of thin steel plate at non-uniform elevated temperatures is also proposed. The basic idea of the method is to reduce the design strength of the plate based on so-called reference temperature, which is hotter than the average temperature but colder than the maximum temperature of the plate.