Sensitivity Study on Using Different Formulae for Calculating the Temperature of Insulated Steel Members in Natural Fires

The applicability of using different formulae for calculating the temperature of insulated steel members exposed to natural fires which include heating and cooling phases has been investigated. The widely referenced 'Swedish' fire curves and measured temperature time curves in real fire tests are adopted to represent different natural fire environments. Parameters including insulation thickness, section factor, and protection material are considered in sensitivity studies. The steel temperatures predicted by different formulae are compared with the numerical results predicted by FEM. Comparatively, the formula given by Chinese Code CECS200 gives best prediction of steel temperatures. Studies also show that the approach adopted by Eurocode 3 for avoiding the negative steel temperature increment at the early heating phase in standard fire should not be used for calculation in natural fires. The formula given by CECS200 is recommended as the most satisfactory formula for the temperature calculation of insulated steel members in natural fires. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.