A model for evaluating the fire resistance of contour-protected steel columns

A numerical model, in the form of a computer program, for evaluating the fire resistance of<br />insulated wide-flange steel columns is presented. The three stages associated with the thermal and<br />structural analysis in the calculation of fire resistance of columns is explained. The use of the computer<br />program for tracing the response of an insulated steel column from the initial pre-loading stage to<br />collapse, due to fire, is demonstrated. The validity of the numerical model used in the program is<br />established by comparing the predictions from the computer program with results from full-scale fire tests.<br />Details of fire tests carried out on wide-flange steel columns protected with ceramic fibre insulation,<br />together with results, are presented. The computer program can be used to evaluate the fire resistance of<br />protected wide-flange steel columns for any value of the significant parameters, such as load, section<br />dimensions, column length, type of insulation, and thickness of insulation without the necessity of testing.