ANALYSIS OF NONLINEAR BEHAVIOR OF STEEL

FRAMES UNDER LOCAL FIRE CONDITIONS

Shen Zu-Yan' and Zhao Jin-Cheng^

' College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University,

Shanghai, 200092, China
School of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University,
Shanghai, 200030, China

ABSTRACT

A finite element approach is presented in this paper for analysis of nonlinear behaviour of steel frames under
local fire conditions. The effects of geometric nonlinearity, temperature dependent material nonlinearity and
variations in temperature distribution across sections of frame members are considered. Based on the
principle of virtual v/ork, the temperature - induced load vector and temperature - dependent geometric
stiffness matrix are derived. Following the common procedure of finite element methods, a computer
program is developed for calculating either the ultimate load at a specified temperature or critical
temperature at a specified load level. The effectiveness of the approach is verified by a good prediction on
the behavior of a steel frame experienced fire experiment.

KEYWORDS

Nonlinear analysis, Steel frame, Fire condition. Finite element method, High temperature, Ultimate load, Fire
test.

1. INTRODUCTION

Because of the progressive deterioration in mechanical properties of steel with increasing temperatures, v/hen
exposed to fire, a bare steel structure will lose its load - bearing capacity in a short period of time. For a long
time in the past, fire resistance design of steel structures could only have been based on standard fire test
results on protected or unprotected specimens, such a method is time consuming and expensive. To
overcome these drawbacks, a considerable amount of work has been done towards developing an alternative
method for predicting the behavior of building structures in fire, with the emphasis on the introduction of
analytical methods by means of computer simulations. The analytical method offers a cost effective

91
92 Z. Y. SHENANDJ. C . ZHAO

alternative to the traditional test method, and further more, it permits a more accurate calculation (prediction)
of the structural fire response by considering the significance and severity of ^ real fire, it may therefor lead
to a more rational and economical procedure with a more defined and unifomji level of safety. This paper is
mainly concerned with the analytical treatment of the structural responsd of steel frames at elevated
temperatures.

The behavior of steel structures in fire is very complicated because of the; many factors involved, such as the
mixed geometrical non - linearity caused by thermal deflections, the conj]jplex material non - linearity
resulting fi-om the different softening of material due to the non - uniform temperature distribution, and the
redistribution of internal forces as a result of the thermal expansion and formulation of "inelastic" zone.
Important achievements have been made in the modeling of the behavior of steel structures exposed to fire
during recent years, a number of numerical methods based on finite element pchnique have been proposed
for fire resistance analysis of both 2D and 3D steel frames. Some methods; can even permit the steel fi-amed
floor systems to be analyzed. The paper does not intend to summarize these current developments here,
while it is worth mentioning that the Newton - Raphson method dealing, with the incremental problems is
widely adopted by most of the researchers to calculate the non - linear structural response. In this paper, a
direct iteration method capable of predicting the non -linear behavior of ste^l frames corresponding to any
specified load level or temperature distribution is proposed, the procedure can ^e repeated for ever increasing
value of load or temperature and thus be used to calculate the whole structural response at room temperature
or under fire conditions, the so - called secant stiffness matrix is used in finitp element analysis. In addition
to the effects of geometrical as well as material non - linearity, the presented niethod also permits an accurate
consideration of the gradual penetration of inelastic zone. All these considerations have been reflected
clearly by an introduction of the corresponding additional stiffness matrices and nodal force vectors in
deriving the basic finite element equations.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF STEEL AT HIGH TEMPERATURES

Proper models of stress - strain relationships at high temperatures are essential for an accurate prediction of
the structural response under fire conditions. In this paper, a simplified triline^ model on the basis of EGGS
recommendations, ECCS-T3(1983), is adopted, in which the creep strain is Assumed to has been implicitly
included. At a specified temperature state, this model of stress - strain c e depends on four material
parameters, namely the initial modules of elasticity Et, proportional limit fj: yield point fy and softening
modules of elasticit>' E„, shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Trilinear stress - strain model

 ANALYSIS OF NONLINEAR BEHAVIOR OF STEEL FRAMES 93
Calculations of Et, fp, fy, and Ep, can be made by following equations:

f = i +- f , 0 < T <600°C (1)

y yO s
767 l n ( — ^ )
1750 .

E,=(1-172X10-'-T;VI1.8X10-'T;^-34.5X10-'T;'4-15.9X10-^TJEO 0<X<mfC (2)

in which, Ts is the temperature of steel, fyo, Eo are yielding point and modules of elasticity of steel at room
temperature respectively.

T^ <200°C
T^ - 200
f = )fv 200<T, <300'C (3)
200
0.5f T >300°C

E . =PE, (4)

0 T, <200°C
P = .76-1.04xl0"T,+2.13xl0"'T/-1.47xl0~'T;' 200<T, <600^X (5)
0 T>600'^C

The coefficient of thermal expansion of steel at high temperatures is assumed to be a constant, i.e.
« = 1.4 x K r ' / r

NON - LINEAR FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

3,1 Main Assumptions

The following assumptions are made in order to simplify the analysis:

1) The occurrence of yielding begins at the end of a member and then develops both across the section and
along the length of the member;

2) Planes before deformation remain planes after deformation;

3) No out of plane or torsional displacements occur;

4) Shear deformations are neglected;

5) Temperature changes linearly across the section.

94 Z. Y. SHEN AND J. C. Z H A O

3,2 Basic Equations

Usually, fire occurs in one or some compartments and temperature distribution within structural members is
not uniform. In addition, external loads applied to the building structure during fire exposure are almost
constant. Under the assumption that the residual stress is not considered, the total axial strain at any point of
the element section can be expressed in terms of the thermal strains, and stress related strain e^ as follows:

8 = 8,4-8^ (6)

Under the assumption that the temperature changes linearly across the section, 8,, which is caused by a
different temperature change t| and X2 at the upper and lower surface of the element section respectively, can
be given by:

8, = 8 , +82 (7)

in which:

where h is the height of the cross section ; y is the distance at y direction from the point to the axis of
symmetry of the cross section .

Taking a steel frame at a specified load and temperature level into consideration , the principle of virtual
work results in the following equation:

(P){6A} = [ a 5 8 d V (9)

in which (P) is the matrix of external loads, {5A} is the vector of nodal virtual displacements, V is the
volume of the element.

The displacement function of the element at high temperatures are assumed to be the same as those at room
temperature:

/ - jc X
n = u, + — U-,
I ' I -
l'-3x' 2x'] (xl-2x' x'Y (3x' 2x'] (x' x% ^^^^
-r-'-rh i-T-^vr i-F'i^r HT^-yr
The only difference here is that it is considered that in Eqn.lO, the nodal displacements
{A}=(U,,V,,0,,U2,V2,62) have included displacements caused by thermal expansion.

The strain - displacement relation for a beam - column element is written as:

8 = u' + —v'^ - yv" (11)

 ANALYSIS OF NONLINEAR BEHAVIOR OF STEEL FRAMES 95

Then the virtual strain v/ithin the element caused by nodal virtual displacements can be written as follows:

5s = 5u'+ v ' 6 v ' - y5v" n2)

To consider Eqn.9 by finite element method, the element stiffness equation can be obtained by making use of
the stress - strain relation of steel and Eqns.lO, 11 and 12. Assembling the stiffness equations of the elements
both in fire zone and cold zone by the direct stiffness method the overall equilibrium equations are obtained.

3.3 Element Stiffness Equations

Elastic period: ((y<fp)

The stress - strain relation in this period can be written as:

a = E,8, (13)

SubsUtuting Eqns.6, 7 into Eqn.l3 and then into Eqn.9, we have

(P){8A} = E, J^ e5sdV - E^s, [5sdV - E, ( e . ^ s d V

(14)

Let:

6W, = E , |s58dV
SW, =E^s,£5sdV (15)
6W3 = E , £e,68dV

5W, is the same as in the room temperature analysis. SubsUtuting Eqn.l2 into Eqn.l5, w^e have

5W, = E , s , [ (5u'-f v'5v' -y6v")dV = E,A8, f(6u'+ v'Sv')dx

(16)

From Eqn. 10, there are

1 1
u'
6x' _6x^
I' A 1-
4x
/ 7^> ^(f \lx\ ^2
^1^-
Ix
(17)

-A '\lx
.1' ' iy 1 +
f6x
^7>. ^ ( ^ -TV-
+
(^ci
Let:
96 Z. Y. SHEN AND J. C. ZHAO

5,= (-1,0,0,1,0,0)
^ /^ (6x'- 6x) f, 4x 3xM ^ f6x 6x') (3x^ 2x
i^^=\°'lT-Fj'r •-^l^)''\-F-—) \-F-T (18)
R L fl2x 6^ (6x 4^ „ f 6 12x^ (6x 2]\
i ^ - \ ° ' l — - F J ' b-yi'^'lF-T^J' {¥-1)1
Then:

8u' = B,{8A}
5v' = B2{5A} (19)
6v" = B3{5A}

Substituting Eqns.l7. 19 into Eqn.l6, we have

5W, =E,A8,{6A}'^[]^B,^dx+ iB/B^fAJcix

(20)

In the same way:

SW, = E,l(-^ Lja {SA}"" |B3^dx

(21)

Then, making use of Eqns.15, 20, 21 and 14, one can obtain:

{P} = ([K,] + [K,]-[K,]){A}-{P,} (22)

in which [K|]. [K2] are element stiffness matrices similar to those for room temperature analysis, and :

[K,]=E,A8,|B/B,dx
(23)

{P,} = E,Ae, jB/dx + E,ll^-^laJ[B/,'dx

(24)

Softening period Tcr > fp )

In Figure 1, stress - strain relations when cr > fp are:

a = f +PE,(8-8,-8 ) (25)
 ANALYSIS OF NONLINEAR BEHAVIOR OF STEEL FRAMES 97
For a partially softening cross section, there is

f CJ58 dA = f a58 dA + f G3E dA

JA JA| JA, (26)

in which, Ai is the area of elastic core, A2 is the area of the softening part of the section.

Substituting Eqn.25 into the second part of Eqn.26, we have

f a 5 8 d A = f 58(1 - p)f dA + p f E , ( 8 - s , ) 5 8 d A
JA-, JA-, ^ •'A, (27)

So, Substituting Eqn.27 into Eqn.26 and integering along the length of the element, then substituting into
Eqn.l4, the following equation is obtained

{P} = ([K,] + [K,]-[K3] + [KJ){A}-{P,} + {P,} (28)

in which :

[KJ = ( l - P ) f p A j B , % d x
(29)

[Pp] = ( l - P ) f p A , | B , ' d x
(30)

A computer program NASFAF which means Non - linear Analysis of Steel Frames Against Fire has been
developed in this paper based on above analysis. Taking the element temperature distribution and the stress -
strain relations of steel at elevated temperatures as the input data, the program permits an calculation of
responses of steel frames under any combination of change of loads and temperatures.

4. COMPARISONS WITH TEST RESULTS

4,1 Room Temperature Analysis

2 F2
F, 1245 2407 1245 F,
' r -I ,A F
c A
F2=88995N
F,-3F2 h
h==2660mm

// D /"7
B_

Figure 2: Test frame and loads

98 Z. Y. S H E N A N D J . C . Z H A O

Authors' predictions
D Test result from Arnold et al (1968)

20 40 60 80
Displacement (mm)

Figure 3: Comparison with Arnold et al (1968)

A one - bay, single story unbraced portal frame with fixed bases as shown in Figure 2 was tested by Arnold
et al (1968). The beam was a 10 I 25.4 stout shape of ASTM - A36 steel and the columns were 5 WF 18.50
stout shape of ASTM - A41 steel. Tension tests were also performed to determine the Stress - strain
characteristics of the A 36 and A 41 steels. Adopting an average set of material properties - yielding point fy,
yielding strain z^ and modules of elasticity E as the direct input data of the program NASFAF, the predicted
load - deflection relationship as well as the ultimate load has been obtained. Figure 3 shows the comparison
between the computer predictions and the reported test results. From Figure 3, we can see that the agreement
is satisfactory. Furthermore, the predicted ultimate load is also very close to the test value. All these have
confirmed the ability of the method to deal with the structural behavior at room temperature.

It is worth mentioned that in the presented method, the yielding order within structural members can be
predicted and the spread of yield both over the cross - section and along the member can also be simulated.
The method permits the calculation of inelastic zone parameters such as yielding height over the section and
yielding length of a partially inelastic member. Foe example, in this room temperature analysis, according to
the calculation results, first yielding occurred at the top of right column (point A) when P reached a value of
about 30 kN., then sections at the bottom of right column (point B)and under the left beam load (point C)
began to yield. Once yield occurred at the bottom of left column (point D) when P is about 63 kN., lateral
deflection increased quickly until the maximum load is reached, (location of each point is shown in Figure 2.
These results are quite in agreement with the analysis and test results provided by Arnold et al (1968),
somewhat difference may exist because of the use of "plastic hinge" theory in their analysis. In addition,
calculation results in this paper also show that when P reaches about 65 kN., the upper and lower surfaces of
the cross - section at point A are both in yielding state, the yielding height has been more than 40 mm, while
yielding length of the right column has become about one - third of the whole length of the member.

Rubert and Schunmann (1985) have performed a series of elevated temperature tests on several plane steel
frames and provided results for these tests. One of the tested frame ZSRl is Shown in Figure 4. The span 1
was 1200mm, column height was 1170mm, room temperature yielding point and modules of elasticity were
355N/mm^ and 210 kN/mm^ respectively. One bay of the frame was uniformly heated at a constant rate by
electrical elements and the remaining two members were kept at room temperature. Comparison between the
predicted deflections and test results illustrated in Figure 3 shows the agreement is satisfactory.
 ANALYSIS OF NONLINEAR BEHAVIOR OF STEEL FRAMES 99

Ui U2

high
temperature IPE 80
-zone

Figure 4: Test frame ZSRl

\i
- —calculated
— tested u
-\ j
1
— t e s t ed u;
/,
/I
/ /
n
./' 1
/
1 • 1/
• 1 ').-"--"^ I."-'

y
f-"^-r^ 100 200 500
1

400 500
1

b00

Temperature i\)

Figure 5: Comparison for test frame ZSR 1

All the tested frames included series EHR,EGR and ZSR were analyzed used the presented method, Figure 6
compares the predicted with measured critical temperatures for all these frames. In all cases, the errors are
not more than 10 percent.

-_•.- EGR /
EHR'
ZSR

380 /
200

100 200 380 400 560

tested (^)

Figure 6: Comparison of critical temperatures

100 Z. Y. SHEN AND J. C. ZHAO

' I
100
1 I

- n
I—56—H
1-1

100

-J
Figure 7: Testfrzimein the paper

In 1995 , for the first time in China , the authors, Zhao(1995), conducted a total of four fire tests on Steel
frames under different load level and heating process . All the test frames are two - dimensional one - story
and one - bay unbraced portal frames. During each test, the applied load on the frame was maintained
constant while its temperature was increased. The changes in temperature and deflection of the frame were
then constantly recorded. The purposes of the test are three fold, i.e. first, to observe the structural response
and the failure pattern of the steel frames in fire; second, to have an understanding of the temperature
distribution on the steel profiles and obtain data for use in theoretical analysis and third, to measure the
deflection of the tested frames and provide data for comparisons v/ith analytical results.

One of the test frame is illustrated in Figure 7. Room temperature yield stress and modules of elasticity of A3
steel used for the test frame were 293.5 N/mm^ and 2.0 X 10^ N/mm^ respectively. Different from other tests,
this test was conducted in a closed ftimace, so the temperature distribution was considered to be uniform.
The loading and location of thermal couples are shown in Figure 8.

The measured temperature - time curves are shown in Figure 9. Adopting these measured temperature values
directly as input data , lateral deflections are calculated using computer program NASFAF . A comparison
between the measured and calculated deflections is shown in Figure 10. As indicated in the figure , a good
agreement is obtained.

Fl Fl

i beam ^f ;^
^
\
1 > U2
"i

f column 1 »column 2

1 • thermocouple

/777 /yyv

Figure 8: Test frame No.l and loads

 ANALYSIS OF NONLINEAR BEHAVIOR OF STEEL FRAMES 101

Figure 9: Temperature- time curves

Calculated
+ X Measured

0 2 4 6 8 10 12
time (min)
Figure 10: Comparison for test 1

5. CONCLUSIONS

A direct iteration method for non-linear analysis of tv/o-dimensional steel frame at elevated temperatures has
been presented, based on finite element formulation. The method permits effects of geometric nonlinearity,
temperature dependent material nonlinearity and variation in temperature distribution across each member to
be included. The ability and potential usefulness of the method has been demonstrated by some illustrative
examples both for room temperature and high temperature analysis of steel frames.

REFERENCES

Arnold,? and Lu,L.W. et al (1968). Strength and behavior of an elastic hybrid frame. ASCE J. Struct. Div.,
94(ST1), 2443-266.
102 Z. Y. SHENANDJ. C . ZHAO

ECCS -T3 (1983). European recommendations for the fire safety of steel structures , Elsevier Scientific
Publishing Company.

Rubert A, Schaumann P(1985). Tragverhalten Stablemer Rahmensysteme bei Brand-beanspruchung.

Stahlbau, 9:280-287.

Zhao Jin-cheng (1995). Fire resistance of steel frames, doctoral thesis, Tongji University, 1995.