Post-earthquake fire and seismic performance of welded steel–concrete composite beam-to-column joints

The performance of steel–concrete composite full strength joints endowed with concrete filled tubes, designed with a multi-objective methodology dealing with seismic actions followed by fire is presented in this paper. In detail, instead of a traditional single-objective design where fire safety and seismic safety are independently achieved and the sequence of seismic and fire loading are not taken into account, the proposed design approach guarantees: (i) both seismic safety and fire safety with regard to accidental actions; (ii) fire safety for at least 15 min fire exposure on a joint characterised by stiffness deterioration and strength degradation due to seismic loading.In order to achieve the multi-objective design, full strength beam-to-composite tubular column joints were designed by means of the component method of Eurocode 4 Part 1-1 and Eurocode 3 Part 1-8, while Eurocode 4 Part 1-2 was considered for fire design. Moreover, to face a seismic-induced fire, they were enhanced with specific joint components which will be detailed.Both the experimental programme and the results provided by seismic tests, pre-damaged tests and fire tests carried out on beam-to-column joints are presented and discussed. The results demonstrate their adequacy in terms of design and performance. Moreover, non-linear numerical simulations clearly show that these joints can be deemed adequate for moment resisting frames of medium ductility class characterised by a behaviour factor of about 4.

► We investigated steel–concrete composite full strength beam-to-column joints.
► We proposed a multi-objective methodology based on a seismic-induced fire scenario.
► Both the experimental programme and results provided by seismic tests were discussed.
► Both composite frames and beam ends exhibited a medium ductile behaviour.
► Seismic-induced damage did not significantly influence joint fire resistance.