Reliability analysis of reinforced concrete columns exposed to fire

Published Date
November 2013, Vol.62:221–229, doi:10.1016/j.firesaf.2013.10.002

Author 

Christopher D. Eamon ^a,,

Elin Jensen ^b

aWayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, United States

bLawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI 48075, United States

Received 21 May 2012. Revised 16 May 2013. Accepted 1 October 2013. Available online 31 October 2013.

Highlights

• The reliability of reinforced concrete columns exposed to fire is assessed.
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  Critical load and resistance parameters were taken as random variables.
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  Reliability is estimated as a function of fire exposure time with direct simulation.
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  The most significant parameters for column reliability are identified.

Abstract

A reliability analysis is conducted on reinforced concrete columns subjected to fire load. From an evaluation of load frequency of occurrence, load random variables are taken to be dead load, sustained live load, and fire temperature. Resistance is developed for axial capacity, with random variables taken as steel yield strength, concrete compressive strength, placement of reinforcement, and section width and height. A rational interaction model based on the Rankine approach is used to estimate column capacity as a function of fire exposure time. Various factors were considered in the analysis such as fire type, load ratio, reinforcement ratio, cover, concrete strength, load eccentricity, and other parameters. Reliability was computed from 0 to 4 h of fire exposure using Monte Carlo simulation. It was found that reliability decreased nonlinearly as a function of time, while the most significant parameters were fire type, load ratio, eccentricity, and reinforcement ratio.

Keywords

Fire

Safety

Reliability

Reinforced concrete

Columns

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  Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 313 577 3766; fax: +1 313 577 3881.
  
  

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