Fire Resistance Performance Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Members Using Galerkin Finite Element Method

A research project is currently being conducted to develop and implement a 2D nonlinear Galerkin finite element analysis for reinforced concrete structures subjected to high temperature. Algorithms for calculating the closed-form element stiffness for a triangular element with a fully populated material conductance are developed. The validity of the numerical model used in the program is established by comparing the prediction from the computer program with results from full-scale fire resistance tests. Details of fire resistance experiments carried out on reinforced concrete slab, together with results, are presented. The results obtained from experimental test indicated that the proposed numerical model and the implemented codes are accurate and reliable. The changes in thermal parameters are discussed from the point of view of changes of structure and chemical composition due to the high temperature exposure. The proposed numerical model takes into account time-varying thermal loads, heat fluctuates due to the convection and radiation, and temperature- dependent material properties. Although, this study considers codes standard fire for reinforced concrete slab, any other time-temperature relationship can be easily incorporated.