Methods of improving survivability of steel beam/column connections in fire

This paper reports the results of a series of numerical parametric studies on methods of improving survivability of steel beam/column endplate connections in fire using a detailed finite element model in ABAQUS. The parametric studies were performed on beam-column assemblies with realistic connection details and the main focus of this research is to investigate methods of improving connection design to enable the structure to survive very high temperatures. At very high temperatures, the beam of the structure experiences catenary action which may fracture the connections and exert additional forces on the columns. This paper investigates how different connection details (bolt diameter, bolt grade, endplate thickness, the use of fire resistance bolt and fire resistant steel for endplate) affect structural behavior and survivability at high temperatures. It is found that improving connection deformation capacity, in particular, using fire resistant bolts, will enable very high temperatures to be resisted.

► Catenary action behavior in steel beams exposed to fire with realistic connections ► Methods of improving survival temperature of steel beams beyond limiting temperatures ► Requirements on bolts to enhance robustness of joints in fire