Evaluation of Residual Strength of RC Columns in Fire-Damaged Buildings: Case Study

Abstract

Prediction of residual strength of structural members in a RC fire-damaged building is an important step in taking a decision about restoration or demolition of the building.  In this paper a finite element model was developed to evaluate the distribution of temperature within the cross-section of a RC column during a fire. Then the results were used to estimate the residual strength of RC columns in a fire damaged building in Libya. The building was used as a court yard for the public and the fire visibly damaged some of its columns. Material tests were conducted in situ and in the laboratory in order to evaluate the material strength after fire. Finite element analysis results and Euro code formulations were used in the prediction of material properties during fire .The predicted properties shows good agreement with material test results. Furthermore analysis results shows that up to 60 min of fire duration the column do not lose considerable amount of its strength, however at 120 min fire duration it will lose about 35 percent of its axial load and moment carrying capacities.