The structural behaviour of steel frames with composite floorslabs subject to fire: Part 2: Design

C. G. Bailey, D. B. Moore

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A companion paper 1 gives details of a new method for the design of steel framed structures, with composite floorslabs, subject to fire. This method is based on the fire tests carried out on the full-scale steel framed building at Cardington. Observations from these tests confirmed the general view that the performance of composite flooring systems is under-utilised in current design procedures for the fire limit state. This is due to the development of in-plane forces in the floorslab at large displacements, which enhance the slab's loadcarrying capacity. In this paper, comparisons are made between the amount of fire protection required using the new approach and predictions according to current UK design methods. It is shown that the new approach results in a significant number of steel beams being left unprotected, whereas the traditional design methods result in all the beams being protected. This is because, unlike the traditional methods, the new method recognises the inherent fire performance of the complete flooring system. In addition, the new design method provides, for the first time, flexibility and freedom to the designer, with the option of eliminating fire protection in exchange for an increase in mesh size, an increase in the depth of slab or an increase in the size of the beams.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)28-33
Number of pages5
JournalStructural Engineer
Volume78
Issue number11
Publication statusPublished - 6 Jun 2000

Keywords

  • Composite construction
  • Design
  • Fire resistance
  • Floors
  • Reinforced concrete slabs
  • Steel frames
  • Temperature effects

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