A solution to the thermal problem of fire resistance of spun reinforced concrete columns

Introduction. Spun reinforced concrete columns are widely used in the present-day international construction practice. Known formulas, used to calculate temperatures of cross sections of reinforced concrete structures, needed to assess their fire resistance limit, are successfully applied to homogeneous structures that have solid sections. However, they are inapplicable to spun reinforced concrete columns due to their structural features. The purpose of this work is to develop a method for solving a thermal problem of spun reinforced concrete columns and adapt existing calculation formulas. Materials and methods. This work addresses the heating of spun reinforced concrete structures in case of fire. Ansys Workbench was employed to perform the computer simulation needed to study the influence of the characteristics of spun reinforced concrete columns on their heating. Results and discussion. In the course of the theoretical studies, the effect, produced by column cavities, the heterogeneity of spun concrete and thin walls of these structures on the heating of their cross sections was assessed with regard for the results of full-scale fire tests of spun reinforced concrete columns. Correction coefficients were obtained in order to take account of these factors. A regression equation was derived as a result of the simulation performed in the context of a full-scale factorial experiment involving coefficient khol, which takes into account the rising temperature of hollow reinforced concrete structures in comparison with solid ones. Khet heating acceleration coefficient is applicable to spun reinforced concrete structures due to the heterogeneity of concrete in the cross section. This coefficient represents a function of the wall thickness. Coefficient kth, which allows for the heating acceleration in the course of crack opening in thin-walled structures, varies in the range of 1.00…1.40. The concrete cracking temperature is 550 °C. Conclusion. A new method allows to solve the thermal problem of fire resistance of spun reinforced concrete columns. The engineering formula used to calculate the temperature in a cross-section was adapted. The results of computer-aided simulation and calculation of temperature values, performed using the adapted formula, show acceptable convergence with the experimental data.