Experimental investigation of structural steel beams subjected to localized fire: Fid-Bau Portal

Experimental investigation of structural steel beams subjected to localized fire

Ramesh, Selvarajah / Choe, Lisa / Zhang, Chao

Highlights • Structural experiments conducted on a 6 m long steel beam with variable connections and exposed to a localized fire. • The specimen tested at transient localized fire failed at higher bottom flange temperature than at steady-state localized fire. • Axial restraint provided by the double-angle connection resulted in lower failure temperature. • The results highlight that the heating conditions and end restraints influence the behavior of steel beams under localized fire.

Abstract This paper presents an experimental behavior of unprotected W16 × 26 steel beams subjected to localized fire. Beam specimens were either simply supported or connected to steel columns via all bolted double angle connections. Two test fires, steady or transient heating, were produced using a natural gas fueled burner located below the center of the beams. Thermal and structural responses of the steel beams as well as the heat release rate and applied forces were measured. The tests showed that all specimens failed by lateral-torsional buckling regardless of fire loading and end support conditions. The results highlight that the heating conditions and end restraints influence the behavior of steel beams under localized fire. The experimental results presented can be used for validation of predictive models in order to improve deign methods for localized fire conditions.