Interaction diagrams for composite columns exposed to fire

Abstract

The bearing capacity of the cross section of composite column in fire conditions through changes in the interaction diagram 'bending moment-axialforce' were analyzed in this paper. The M-N interaction diagram presents the relationship between the intensities of the bending moment and the axial force as actions on the column cross section, or the relationship between the design value of the plastic resistance to axial compression of the total cross-section Npl, Rd and the design value of the bending moment resistance Mpl, Rd. It is well known that the temperature increase causes decrease of the load-bearing characteristics of the constitutive materials. This effect directly reflects on the reduction of the axial force and the bending moment that could be accepted by the column cross section. Interaction diagrams for three different types of column cross sections for five different maximal temperatures developed during the fire action were defined. For that purpose the software package SAFIR was used. The columns, materials and load characteristics, as well as all other terms and conditions, were taken in accordance with the relevant Eurocodes and the theory of composite columns.

Keywords

• composite columns
• fire resistance
• interaction diagrams