EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THERMAL ELONGATION OF STEEL BEAMS CONNECTED TO RC SLAB DURING FIRE

Abstract

 Thermal deformation of structural members during fire may become the factor to cause the collapse of the building. Above all, thermal elongation of steel beams is one of the most significant considerations for the structural stability of steel buildings. In this study, four types of full scale furnace tests were carried out to grasp the thermal elongation of steel beams which were connected to RC slabs. All specimens were composed of fire-protected steel beams and RC slabs whose three sides were completely constrained. Test parameters were the cross-sectional size of beam and grade of fire protection. By comparing test results, the suppressive effect of the typical RC slab to the thermal elongation of steel beams were quantified. It was found that the thermal elongation of steel beams which were connected to the RC slab were around 80% of the value that is provided in Eurocode 4 regardless of test parameters.