Case Studies in Thermal Engineering (Aug 2024)
Enhancing fire resistance of glulam columns with modified laminas via resin impregnation and compression
Abstract
Wood's vulnerability to combustion compromises its structural integrity during fire incidents, primarily due to a decrease in effective cross-section area. This study investigates the efficacy of impregnation Chinese fir lumbers with a 30 % concentration of borate-containing phenol–formaldehyde resin, coupled with a 30 % compression treatment, employed as exposed side laminas for glulam columns. Full-scale glulam columns underwent one-sided fire exposure to assess the impact of the modified laminas. Results reveal a significant increase in column ignition time by 55–195 s, due to the combined treatment. The charring rate of columns containing a single modified lamina in the fire-side zone decreased from 0.733 to 0.552 mm/min after 60 min of fire exposure and further reduced from 0.503 to 0.351 mm/min after 120 min fire exposure for double modified laminas. Compared to the control, glulam columns containing a single modified lamina showcased a 31 % increase in residual bearing capacity at 60 min fire exposure duration and a 62.1 % increase at 120 min with double modified laminas. ABAQUS simulation results corroborated experimental findings, highlighting substantial enhancement in fire resistance achieved due to the modified laminas in the fire-side zone.