m y

d e
c a
STRUCTURAL FIRE
A A RESISTANCE

B C
Session 5 Thermal Analysis
Timothy Liu
Manchester
UK
26, 27 August 2019 5 : Thermal Analysis 2

Thermal Response
Thermal response of the:

m y
e
• enclosure boundaries can influence the heat balance within the enclosure and, accordingly, the ongoing fire conditions;

a
• enclosure boundaries can influence their mechanical response;
d
A c
• members or objects outside the fire enclosure can determine whether fire is transmitted outside the enclosure; and

A
• the structural members can influence their mechanical response

Assessment of effectiveness of

• Compartmentation
B C
• Fire protection to structural elements

The thermal response of structural members can be determined from:

• empirical data based upon fire resistance tests or tests performed under natural (real) conditions;

• simplistic calculations of the temperature response from tests

• advanced calculations.
26, 27 August 2019 5 : Thermal Analysis 3

Heat exchange at boundary

Total heat flux on structure: qnet = qc + qr

m y
e
qnet the net incident heat flux (W/m²);

d
qc the convective heat flux (W/m²);

c a
qr the radiative heat flux (W/m²).

A
1. Convective Heat flux qc = hc (Tg − Tsurface )

A
hc the coefficient of heat transfer by convection (W/m²/K);

C
Tg the temperature of the fire gases (K);

B
Tsurface the temperature of the exposed surface element (K).

Based on EN 1991:Part 1.2

• Fully-developed fires the contribution of convection to the hot-face heat transfer is small and hc =25 W/m²/K
(independent of temperature).

• More severe fully-developed fires hc = 50 W/m²/K.

• At the non-exposed face, hc = 4 W/m²/K or 9 W/m²/K where the effects of radiation are considered.
26, 27 August 2019 5 : Thermal Analysis 4

Heat exchange at boundary

Total heat flux on structure: qnet = qc + qr

m y
e
qnet the net incident heat flux (W/m²);

d
qc the convective heat flux (W/m²);

 a
c
qr the radiative heat flux (W/m²).


A
44
2. Radiative Heat flux qr =  m  f  Tg − Tsurface

A
ϕ the configuration factor, describing the geometrical relationship between the radiating hot gases and the

C
receiving surface;

B
εm surface emissivity (material types);
εf emissivity of fire (flame);
σ Stefan-Boltzmann constant = 5.67 x 10-8 W/m²/K4.

• Emissivity of flame depends on thickness λ of flame  f = 1 − e −0.3 

• For fully developed enclosure fire, εf = 1.

• For a member fully engulfed in fire ϕ = 1. (Slightly modified for open steel section)
26, 27 August 2019 5 : Thermal Analysis 5

Heat exchange at boundary

m y
d e
c a
A A
B C
26, 27 August 2019 5 : Thermal Analysis 6

Heat Transfer Equation

m y
e
  T    T    T  T
kx +  k y  + kz  + Q = C

d
x  x  y  y  z  z  t

c a
A
where
T temperature (K)

A
x,y,z 3 – dimensions axes

C
t time (s)

B
Q internally generated heat (W/m³)
ρ density (kg/m³)
C specific heat capacity (J/kg/K)
k thermal conductivity (W/m/K)
26, 27 August 2019 5 : Thermal Analysis 7

Heat Transfer Equation

y
At the boundary

m
T

e
k = E f = m (Tg4 − T 4 ) + hc (Tg − T )

d
n

c a
A
where
T temperature (K)

A
Tg gas temperature (K)

C
n normal direction to boundary surface

B
t time (s)
k thermal conductivity (W/m/K)
εm emissivity depending on surface materials
σ Stefan-Boltzmann constant = 5.6704 x 10-8 W/m²/K4
hc convective coefficient
25 W/m2/K for facing the fire or
9 W/m2/K if not
26, 27 August 2019 5 : Thermal Analysis 8

Numerical Analysis

• One-dimension finite difference

m y
d e
Node 0 i-1,

c a
i i+1 Node n

A
Ai-1 Ai+1

A
δxi

C
• Suitable for scenarios where no energy exchange on 2 sides or axi-symmetrical

B
• Divide the energy flow path into a number of divisions represented by nodes, establish energy exchange equation at each node

ki   A i−1 + A i   A + 2A i + A i+1   A + A i+1   Ti

• At fire exposed surface : −  Ti−1 +  i−1 Ti −  i Ti+1  + =0
 
2
ic ixi   2A i    2A i     t
   2A i  

k1  A 0 + A1   A + A1   T0 Ef
• Overall Matrix equation :  T0 −  0 T1  + =
2     
1c1h1   2A 0   2A 0    t 1c1x1


• Solved over a series of time steps [K] {T } + {T } = {E}
t
26, 27 August 2019 5 : Thermal Analysis 9

Numerical Analysis

• Assessment of Fire Resistance of a period building

m y
d e
c a
A A
B C
• Objective of Assessment –
• 90 minutes fire resistant compartmentation
• Load bearing – temperature of reinforcement bar less than 550°C
• Insulation – temperature on top less than 140°C above ambient
26, 27 August 2019 5 : Thermal Analysis 10

Numerical Analysis

• Assessment of Fire Resistance of a period building

m y
d e
c a
A A
B
• Standard Requirement for 90minutes FR:
C
• Cover at least 25mm for simply-supported slab
• Minimum thickness 110mm (including any topping)

• Deviation from standard –

• Measured cover = 19mm
• Concrete mix (1930s) – cement:fine agg = 1:3 – lower conductivity and higher specific heat capacity
26, 27 August 2019 5 : Thermal Analysis 11

Thermal Properties – concrete

m y
e
EN 1992:Part 1.2:2004

d
PD 7974:Part 3:2011

c a
A A
C
Thermal Conductivity

Volumetric Heat Capacity B

Screed –
Volumetric Heat Capacity 840J/kg/K x 1200kg/m³
= 1MJ/m³/K

Thermal Conductivity = 0.4 – 0.5W/m/K

26, 27 August 2019 5 : Thermal Analysis 12

Numerical Analysis

• Assessment of Fire Resistance of a period building

m y
d e
• Re-bar temperature approximately 525°C to 575°C depending on conductivity and moisture content of concrete

c a
A A
B C
26, 27 August 2019 5 : Thermal Analysis 13

Numerical Analysis

Two-dimension finite element analysis (also 3-D finite element)

m y
• For structural form where

d e
c a
• fire come from more than one face

A
• Heat flux in more than one direction

A
• Divide the structure into elements (planar or 3-D)

C
• Structural steel member with/without protection

B
26, 27 August 2019 5 : Thermal Analysis 14

Numerical Analysis

• Steel section without profile protection

m y
d e
c a
A A
B C
26, 27 August 2019 5 : Thermal Analysis 15

Numerical Analysis

• Steel section with profile protection

m y
d e
c a
A A
B C
26, 27 August 2019 5 : Thermal Analysis 16

Numerical Analysis

m y
• Steel section with profile protection with Cementitious Spray-Applied Fire Resistive Material

d e
c a
A A
B C
26, 27 August 2019 5 : Thermal Analysis 17

Some Finite Element packages

m y
• FIRES-T3: A Computer Program for the FIre REsponse of Structures-Thermal Three-Dimensional Version

e
• University of California, Fire Research Group, 1977

a d
c
• TASEF-2: A computer program for temperature analysis of structure exposed to fire

A
• Lund Institute of Technology, 1983

C A
• SAFIR – modelling software for construction under fire
• University of Liege

• ANSYS
B
• Ansys Inc – general 3-D FE package
26, 27 August 2019 5 : Thermal Analysis 18

Numerical Analysis

• Partially protected steel column - Temperature profile

m y
d e
c a
A A
B C
• Fire resistance requirement : 120 minutes
• Protected with intumescent paint to 60min fire resistance
• “intumescent paint” modelled as constant and uniform materials to keep non-encased steel temperature to 550°C in 60
minutes standard fire
26, 27 August 2019 5 : Thermal Analysis 19

Thermal Properties – hot-rolled steel

m y
Density = 7850kg/m³

d e
a
EN 1993:Part 1.2:2005

c
PD 7974:Part 3:2011

A A
B C
26, 27 August 2019 5 : Thermal Analysis 20

Numerical Analysis

• Steel column with 60min fire protection (Promatect board)- Calibration

m y
d e
c a
Calibrated protection properties

A
Volumetric heat capacity = 0.4MJ/m³/K

A
Thermal conductivity = 0.08W/m/K
Thickness = 10mm

B C

Non-encased section in 60min standard fire

26, 27 August 2019 5 : Thermal Analysis 21

Numerical Analysis

• Partially protected steel column - Temperature profile

m y
d e
c a
A A
B C

part-encased section in 120min standard fire

26, 27 August 2019 5 : Thermal Analysis 22

Numerical Analysis
• Intumescent coating protection

m y
d e
• Research on thermal response of intumescent coating
coating

a
• Quantify thermal properties

c
Steel plate

A
• Steel temperature response

A
• Experience control at 250 to 300°C
•

C
For a standard fire, this may take place between 4 minutes for thin steel plate
to 9 minutes for thicker steel plate.

B
• Research continues
26, 27 August 2019 5 : Thermal Analysis 23

m y
d e
c a
A A
Any questions?
B C
End of Session 5