Prediction of residual strength of composite columns using FEM analysis

Fires in buildings cause not only economic losses but also many casualties. A prolonged fire involves the possibility of the damage to structural members, which calls for the repair or reinforcement of the building. Since it is critical to decide whether structural members need reinforcement, the technique to determine the degree of the damage to structural members caused by a fire should be established. CFT columns are superior to generic steel columns in terms of fire resistance performance thanks to the thermal storage effect of the concrete inside the columns. Studies have suggested how to reinforce the concrete to further improve the structural strength and fire resistance performance of CFT columns. When CFT columns of a building are damaged by a fire, it is required to determine preciously how serious the structural deterioration of the members is. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the residual strength of CFT columns damaged by a fire by evaluating the temperature distribution inside the columns and determining the degree of deterioration in the load capacity of concrete and steel in relation to temperature distribution.