EXAMPLE 1

FIRE DESIGN OF AN UNPROTECTED BEAM USING GRAPHS

This worked example covers the fire design of a hot-rolled IPE section forming part of
floor structure of an office building. The beam is uniformly loaded and restrained against
lateral torsional buckling by the presents of a concrete slab supported on the top flange.
The beam is to be designed to achieve R15 fire resistance without the use of fire
protection material. In this worked example thermal actions are determined using SD002.
Basic data
Material properties
Steel grade: S 275
Yield stress: fy = 275
N/mm
Density: a = 7850
kg/m

Mechanical actions at normal temperature

The characteristic value of the load is:

Loads
Permanent action: gk =
4,8 kN/m
Variable action: qk = 7,8
kN/m

The design value of the load is:

The applied bending moment and shear force are given by:

Design at normal temperature

The IPE 300 section is a Class 1 section in bending.

The section is checked at ULS at normal temperature. The concrete slab is assumed to
provide full lateral restraint to the beam; therefore, lateral-torsional instability does not
need to be taken into account.
Bending moment resistance:

Shear resistance:

Serviceability Limit State:

Design in the fire situation

Mechanical actions for the fire design situation
The reduction factor for the design load level is equal to:

Where the factor is taken as 1,1 = 0,3 for office buildings

The section factor for the hot-rolled section is taken from SD004. The box section factor
for an unprotected beam exposed on three sides is equal to:

The exposed perimeter is indicated by the dashed line on Figure 3.

The shadow effect is considered by modifying the section factor as follows:

Verification in the time domain

The adaptation factor 1 = 0,7 is used for an unprotected beam exposed to fire on three
sides. The adaptation factor 2 = 1,0 is used for simply supported beam.
The fire resistance can be checked using the design data reproduced in Figure 4.
The degree of utilization for the beam is given by:
The critical temperature is given by:

The fire resistance period predicted using Figure 4 is equal to 17 min

This exceeds the required fire resistance R15.
Therefore, the fire resistance of the section is satisfactory without applied protection.

EXAMPLE 2
FIRE DESIGN OF AN UNPROTECTED IPE SECTION BEAM EXPOSED
TO THE STANDARD TIME TEMPERATURE CURVE
The worked example illustrates the fire design of a simply supported noncomposite beam. The transfer of heat into the beam is evaluated using a step-bystep calculation procedure. The structural resistance of the member at elevated
temperature is evaluated using the simple calculation model for members subject
to bending given in EN1993-1-2.
A beam made of hot-rolled IPE section is a part of the floor structure of an office
building. The beam is loaded uniformly and restrained against lateral torsional
buckling by a concrete slab. The beam is design to achieve a fire resistance rating
of R15.
Partial safety factor M,fi = 1,00
The design of the beam cross section and verifications at normal temperature is run in
Example 1.
Evaluation of gas temperature
The standard temperature-time curve is used for the gas temperature:

Evaluation of beam temperature

The dotted line on Figure 3 indicates the perimeter that is assumed to be exposed to
fire. The section factor is calculated as follows:

The correction factor for the shadow effect ksh for IPE-sections is given as:

where the (Am/V)b is calculated from the box surrounding the section as
indicated by dashed line on Figure 3.

The increase of temperature of the steel section is calculated using an

incremental calculation procedure to determine the increase in steel temperature
given in EN1993-1-2 by the following equation:

Time interval t = 5 sec is used in the temperature calculation.

The net heat flux is:

is the emissivity of the carbon steel (m = 0,7 - EN1993-1-2 2.2)

r r

is the emissivity of the fire (r = 1,0 EN1991-1-2 3.1)

is the configuration factor ( = 1,0 EN1991-1-2 3.1)

c c is the coefficient of the heat transfer for use with the standard temperature
time curve (given in EN1991-1-2 3.2.1 as c = 25,0 W/(mK))
is the Stephan Boltzmann constant ( = 5,67 10-8 W/(mK4))
The steel temperature-time curve of the section is shown in Table 1 and Figure
4.

Note:
The temperature of the steel beam can be evaluated from SD004. For the section
factor Am/V = 188 m-1 and the correction factor for the shadow effect ksh =
0,667, the factor Am/V used in the graph in SD004 is equal to:

and the steel temperature for t = 15 minutes is as follows:

Classification of the section at elevated temperature:

The slenderness of the flange in compression is:

The limit for Class 1 is 9. For the fire design situation is taken as 0,85 of that
used for normal design. Thus the limit is:

The limit is not exceeded. Therefore, the flange is Class 1.

The slenderness of the web in bending is :

The limit for Class 1 is 72. For the fire design situation is taken as 0,85 of that
used for normal design. Thus the limit is:
Limit is not exceeded. Therefore, the web is Class 1.
The section is Class 1 at elevated temperature.
The design moment resistance during fire exposure is given by:

The reduction factor ky, for the steel temperature a = 614C is:

The adaptation factor 1 = 0,7 is used for an unprotected beam exposed to fire on
three sides, and the adaptation factor 2 = 1,0 is used for a simply supported beam.
The design moment resistance at temperature a = 614C is given by:

The design shear resistance is given by:

The section is satisfactory in the fire design situation.

EXAMPLE 3
FIRE DESIGN OF PROTECTED IPE SECTION BEAM
EXPOSED TO PARAMETRIC FIRE CURVE
This worked illustrates the fire design of a simply supported non-composite beam. Heat
transfer into the section is calculated using the equation for protected members given in
EN1993-1-2, which is evaluated using an iterative calculation procedure. The structural
resistance is calculated using the simple calculation model for members in bending,
given in EN1993-1-2.
A steel beam forms part of a floor structure of an office building. The beam is uniformly
load and restrained against lateral torsional buckling by a concrete slab. The beam is
required to achieve 60 minutes fire resistance and will be fire protected using sprayed
vermiculite cement. The thermal actions will be determined using the parametric
temperature - time curve.
Data for fire calculation
Data for parametric fire curve:
= 5,794
tmax = 22 minutes
x=1
Properties of fire protection material
Sprayed vermiculite cement
thickness dp = 10 mm
density p = 550 kg/m3
specific heat cp = 1100 J/kgK
thermal conductivity p = 0,12 W/mK
The section is satisfactory at normal temperature (see Ex 1 and 2).
Design for the fire situation
Mechanical actions for fire design situation
Using the simplified rule in EN 1991-2, actions in the fire situation may be

determined from actions in normal design. (see Ex. 2)

Evaluation of gas temperature
The full calculation of a parametric fire curve is illustrated by worked example
SX042. The curve used in this example is based on the following parameters
= 5,794, tmax = 22 min (0,367 hour) and x = 1 should be used. The modified
time t* (in hours) is used in the parametric curve:

The maximum gas temperature is reached at time t*max

The heating part of the temperature curve is given:

The maximal gas temperature in the fire compartment
is:

When t*max > 2, the curve in the cooling phase is given by:

Evaluation of beam temperature

The section factor can be calculated as follows (see Figure 3, where the dotted
line indicates the section perimeter exposed to fire):

The increase of temperature of the steel section is calculated using step-by-step

procedure using the following formula:

Time interval t = 30 sec is used in the temperature calculation.

The maximum temperature reached due to exposure to the parametric fire is
a,max = 582C.

The steel and ga

Verification in the resistance domain

Classification of the section at elevated temperature

The slenderness of the flange in compression is:

The limit for Class 1 is 9. For the fire design situation is taken as 0,85 of that used for
normal design. Thus the limit for S275 is:
The limit is not exceeded. Therefore, the flange is Class 1.
The slenderness of the web in bending is:

The limit for Class 1 is 72. For the fire design situation is taken as 0,85 of that used for
normal design. Thus the limit is:
Limit is not exceeded. Therefore, the web is Class 1.
The section is Class 1 at elevated temperature.
The reduction factor for the temperature a = 582C is:

The design moment resistance during fire exposure is given

by:

The adaptation factor 1 = 0,85 is used for an unprotected beam exposed to fire on
three sides.
The adaptation factor 2 = 1,0 is used for simply supported beam.
The design moment resistance at the temperature a = 582C is:

The design shear resistance is given by:

The section is satisfactory in the at fire design situation.

Comparison with design for standard fire resistance

For 60 minutes exposure to the standard time temperature curve, the thickness of
protection required can be determined using manufacturers design tables for
vermiculite spray, published in Fire protection for structural steel in buildings.
These design tables are based on the assumption that the critical temperature is
not less than 550oC.
Section Factor = 188 m-1
Protection Thickness = 15 mm

EXAMPLE 4
FIRE DESIGN OF A PROTECTED HEB SECTION COLUMN
EXPOSED TO THE STANDARD TEMPERATURE TIME CURVE
This worked example illustrates the fire design of a column that is continuous over
two storeys. Heat transfer into the section is evaluated using the EN1993-1-2
calculation procedure. The resistance of the column is evaluated using the simple
calculation model for compression members given in EN1993-1-2. For comparative
purposes, it is also evaluated according to the simplified procedure of SD005 and by
the use of manufacturers' data.
Basic data
Material properties
Steel grade: S 355
Yield stress: fy = 355 N/mm
Density: a = 7850 kg/m

Loads
Reaction at each floor level due to permanent actions:
RG,k = 185 kN
Reaction at each floor level due to variable actions:
RQ,k = 175 kN
Partial safety factors
G = 1,35
Q = 1,50
M1 = 1,00

Data for fire calculation

Material properties of fire protection sprayed vermiculite cement
-

thickness dp = 20 mm

thermal conductivity p = 0,12 Wm-1K-1

density p = 550 kgm-3

specific heat cp = 1100 Jkg-1K-1

Mechanical actions at normal temperature

The design value of the load in lower part of the column is:

Design at normal temperature

Section HE 180 B is designed to resist the applied load, classified as Class 1 section.

The buckling length of the column is equal to:

Buckling perpendicular to z-axis is critical.

The elastic critical force for normal design is:

The non-dimensional slenderness at normal temperature is:

The buckling reduction factor for hot-rolled I sections with h/b ratio < 1,2 is
evaluated on curve c (the imperfection factor = 0,49).

Buckling resistance at Ultimate Limit State.

The section is satisfactory at normal temperature.

Design for the fire situation
Mechanical actions for fire design situation
Using the simplified rule in EN 1991-2, actions in the fire situation may be determined
from actions in normal design.
The accidental situation is used for the combination of mechanical actions during fire
exposure, where the factor is taken as 2,1 = 0,3 for office buildings. The reduction
factor for the design load level is equal to:

NB: The factor is a nationally determined parameter. The value used in this example is
the value recommended in EN 1991-1-2

Evaluation of gas temperature

The standard temperature-time curve is used for the gas temperature.

Evaluation of column temperature

The dotted line in Figure 3 indicates the perimeter of the section exposed to fire. The
section factor is calculated as follows:

The increase of temperature of the steel section is calculated by step-by-step procedure

using:

where:

Time interval t = 30 sec is used in the temperature calculation.

The steel and gas temperatures are shown in Table 1 and Figure 4.

From the results shown in Table 1, the steel temperature at time t = 90 minutes
is a = 554C.
Note:
As an alternative, the temperature of the steel column could be evaluated from SD005.
For the section factor Ap/V = 159 m-1 and taking into account the properties of the fire
protection material, as follows.
The steel temperature at t = 90 minutes, is a = 602C
The difference between the steel temperature calculated by the EN1993-1-2 step-by-step
calculation and the steel temperature determined from SD005 is caused by the assumption
that 0=
(i.e. neglecting the thermal capacity of the fire protection material) in the design data given
in SD005. Using a design temperature from SD005 will therefore lead to a conservative
evaluation of the member resistance in fire.
Verification in the resistance domain
Classification of the section at elevated temperature

The slenderness of the flange in compression is:

The limit for Class 1 is 9. For the fire design situation is taken as 0,85 of
that used for normal design. Thus the limit for S355 is:

The limit is not exceeded. Therefore, the flange is Class 1.

The slenderness of the web in compression is:

The limit for Class 1 is 33. For the fire design situation is taken as 0,85 of
that used for normal design. Thus the limit is:

Limit is not exceeded. Therefore, the web is Class 1. The section is Class 1 at
elevated temperature.
The reduction factors for the stress-strain relationship at temperature a = 554C are:

Provided that the column forms part of a braced frame and the fire resistance of the
concrete slab separating the floors is not less than the fire resistance of the column
the buckling length is reduced to:

The critical buckling load at normal temperature is then given by:

The non-dimensional slenderness at normal temperature is given by:

The non-dimensional slenderness at temperature a is:

The factor is equal to:

The buckling reduction factor is:

The design resistance at temperature a = 554C is given by:

From sheet 3 the design effect of actions is:

Therefore, the section is satisfactory for the fire design situation.

Evaluation to SD005
For comparison purposes the resistance of the steel column based on the steel
temperature obtained from SD005 will now be calculated.
From Sheet 6: - a = 602C

The reduction factors for the stress-strain relationship at temperature a,max = 602C are:
kE, = 0,306 , ky, = 0,465
Provided that the column forms part of a braced frame and the fire resistance of the
concrete slab separating the floors is not less than the fire resistance of the column the
buckling length is reduced to:

The elastic critical force at normal temperature is given as follows:

In this case, the calculation of, should be based on the elastic critical load for a
column buckling length of 0.7L. The non-dimensional slenderness at normal
temperature is given as follows:

Non-dimensional slenderness at temperature a is:

The factor is equal to:

and the buckling reduction factor is:

The design resistance at temperature a = 602C is calculated as:

From sheet 3 the design effect of actions is:

Therefore, the section is satisfactory for the fire design situation.

NB: The conservative approximation of the steel temperature obtained from SD005 has
resulted in a 25% reduction in compressive resistance.
Comparison with design using standard fire resistance and manufacturers' data
For 90 minutes exposure to the standard time temperature curve, the thickness of
protection required can be determined using manufacturers design tables for
vermiculite spray, published in Fire protection for structural steel in buildings.
These design tables are based on the assumption that the critical temperature is not
less than 550oC.
Protection Thickness = 20 mm; Section Factor = 159 m-1

The actual degree of utilization calculated for the column, 0,37, is much lower than the nominal value
using manufacturers design data.

Using EN1993-1-2 the thickness of fire protection material may be reduced compared to thickness de
thickness determined from manufacturers data.

EXAMPLE 5
FIRE DESIGN OF A PROTECTED HEB SECTION COLUMN EXPOSED
TO THE PARAMETRIC FIRE CURVE
This worked example illustrates the fire design of a column that is continuous over
two storeys. Transfer of heat into the section is calculated using the equation given in
EN1991-1-2, evaluated by step-by-step calculation procedure. The load bearing
capacity of the column is calculated using the simple calculation model for
compression members given in EN1993-1-2.
A column made of hot-rolled HEB section supports two floors and is fire protected with
gypsum boards. The column is required to achieve 60 minutes fire resistance.
Properties of fire protection material
Gypsum board:
-

Total thickness dp = 12 mm;

thermal conductivity p = 0,20 Wm-1K-1

density p = 800 kg/m3

specific heat cp = 1700 Jkg-1K-1

Mechanical actions at normal temperature

The design value of the load in the lower part of the column is

Design at normal temperature

Section HE 180 B is designed to resist the applied load, classified as Class 1 section.

The buckling length of the column is equal to:

Buckling perpendicular to z-axis is critical.

The elastic critical force for normal design is:

The non-dimensional slenderness at normal temperature is:

The buckling reduction factor for hot-rolled I sections with h/b ratio < 1,2 is
evaluated on curve c (the imperfection factor = 0,49).

Buckling resistance at Ultimate Limit State.

The section is satisfactory at normal temperature.

Design for the fire situation

Mechanical actions for fire design situation
Using the simplified rule in EN 1991-2, actions in the fire situation may be determined
from actions in normal design.
The accidental situation is used for the combination of mechanical actions during fire
exposure, where the factor is taken as 2,1 = 0,3 for office buildings. The reduction
factor for the design load level is equal to:

NB: The factor is a nationally determined parameter. The value used in this example is
the value recommended in EN 1991-1-2
Evaluation of gas temperature
The gas temperature is calculated on parametric temperature-time curve. The
parameters of the curve in this example have been calculated as = 1,372, tmax
= 33,6 minutes (0,56 hour) and x = 1. A full illustration of the calculation method
for parametric fire curves is given in SX042.
The modified time t* (in hours) is used in the parametric curve

The maximum gas temperature is reached at time t*max

The heating part of the temperature curve is given by:

The maximum gas temperature reached in the fire compartment is

When 0,5< t*max < 2 the curve in the cooling phase is given by:

Evaluation of column temperature

The section factor is calculated as follows (see Figure 3, where the dotted line
indicates the section perimeter exposed to fire):

The increase of temperature of the steel section is calculated by step-by-step

procedure using:

Time interval t = 30 seconds is used in the temperature calculation.

The maximum steel temperature attained during this design fire occurs after 77
minutes:

Verification in the resistance domain

Classification of the section at elevated temperature

The slenderness of the flange in compression is:

The limit for Class 1 is 9. For the fire design situation is taken as 0,85 of
that used for normal design. Thus the limit for S355 is:

The limit is not exceeded. Therefore, the flange is Class 1.

The slenderness of the web in compression is:

The limit for Class 1 is 33. For the fire design situation is taken as 0,85 of that used for
normal design. Thus the limit is:
Limit is not exceeded. Therefore, the web is Class 1. The section is Class 1 at
elevated temperature
The reduction factors for the temperature a,max = 427C are:

Provided that the fire resistance of the concrete slab separating the floors is not
less than the fire resistance of the column the buckling length is reduced to:

The critical buckling load at normal temperature is then given by:

The non-dimensional slenderness at normal temperature is given by:

The factor is equal to

and the buckling reduction factor is:

The design resistance at temperature a,max = 427C is given by:

NB: Due to relatively low design temperature and the reduction in effective
length the buckling resistance is higher than the room temperature capacity.
From Sheet 3, the design effect of actions is:

Therefore, the section is satisfactory in the fire design situation.

Comparison with design for standard fire resistance
For 60 minutes exposure to the standard time temperature curve, the thickness of
protection required can be determined using manufacturers design tables for
gypsum based fire protection boards, published in Fire protection for structural
steel in buildings. These design tables are based on the assumption that the
critical temperature is not less than 550oC. Section Factor = 110 m-1
Thickness of protection = 12,5 mm

The degree of utilization in fire is relatively low, as only 82% of the column
capacity is utilized at ultimate limit state. However, using either design method
shows that minimum board thickness is adequate.

Exemplul 2.
Etapa II. Verificarea la cald a stalpului
Clasa de rezistenta R90: protectie cu mortar torcretat cu adaos de vermiculite de
grosime di=1 cm.

Caracteristicile stratului protector :

i = 350 kg/m3 ; i =0.10 W/m20C; pi = 1%; Ci = 1200 [J/kg0C]

Solicitarile pe setiune din grupare si din combinatia la actiunea focului se vor

considera: N= 4000 N si respectiv M= 95 kNm

Pentru sectiunea de otel a stalpului : U/A=60.4 m-1 ; cs= 520 J/kg0C
a) Se determina : =(350x1200)/(2x520x7850)=0.051
b) Se determina : U/A=60.4/(1+0.05x0.014x60.4)=58.9
c) Temperatura la fata elementului din otel trebuie sa corespunda clasei de
rezistenta R90 :

A1 c A 2 e
A1 A 2 d

( )
unde :

A1

1
c1

g
red

( )

A 2 10 3

d1
f
i

( )
A1=(1/1.0)58.9-2.66=56.24
A2 = (1030.014)/0.1+5.64=145.64
s = (56.24x1129+145.64x10.45)/56.24+145.64x0.86)=358.2 0C
La temperatura de 358.2 0C se face verificarea sectiunii din otel la
compresiune cu incoviere , adica :
verificarea de tensiuni maxime din forta axiala si moment incovoietor ;
- Verificarea de stabilitate la flambaj lateral la compresiune excentrica.
Mersul calculului se deruleaza dupa SR EN 1993-1-2.