Abstract

LARRUA QUEVEDO, Rafael  and  PIGNATTA SILVA, Valdir. Thermal modelling of the steel-concrete connections test at elevated temperatures. Rev. Téc. Ing. Univ. Zulia [online]. 2013, vol.36, n.3, pp.210-218. ISSN 0254-0770.

A bi-dimensional numerical model of the connections test at elevated temperatures was developed by means of the finite element computer program SuperTempcalc. Essential references of the recommended criteria were taken from the eurocodes EN 1991-1-2 and EN 1994-1-2. Consequently, the thermal conductivity and the specific heat of the steel and the concrete are adopted as dependent values of the temperature. The density of each material is defined as a constant value. The exposed parts of the specimen cross-section are considered under the action of the standard fire ISO 834-1, while the non-exposed parts are considered at room temperature. The results of the push-out tests at elevated temperatures developed at CTICM, France, were used to calibrate the models against the experimental data. In general, a relatively simple model was obtained. It also has the advantage of being very efficient and quick to use. In terms of obtaining reliable temperatures for a structural analysis the model is more than adequate. The sensitivity of the calibrated model to variation in connector diameter and height is assessed, taking into account the defined scope of the formulations of EN 1991-1-2 and EN 1994-1-2. Also, different alternatives on the level at which should be considered the concrete temperatures are analyzed in order to evaluate the simplified method of EN 1994 1-2.

Keywords : composite structures; fire, push-out test; thermal analysis; numerical modeling.