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Simulation Methodology for Coupled Fire-Structure Analysis: Modeling Localized Fire Tests on a Steel Column

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Abstract

Advanced simulation methods are needed to predict the complex behavior of structures exposed to realistic fires. Fire dynamics simulator (FDS) is a computational fluid dynamics code, developed by NIST for fire related simulations. In recent years, there has been an increase in use of FDS for performance-based analysis in the area of structural fire research. This paper discusses the FDS–finite element method (FEM) simulation methodology for structural fire analysis. The general methodology is described and a validation study is presented. A data element used to transfer data from FDS to FEM codes, the adiabatic surface temperature, is discussed. A tool named fire-thermomechanical interface is applied to transfer data from FDS to ANSYS. A high temperature stress–strain model for structural steel developed by NIST is included in the FEM analysis. Compared to experimental results, the FDS–FEM method predicted both the thermal and structural responses of a steel column in a localized fire test. The column buckling time was predicted with a maximum error of 7.8%. Based on these results, this methodology has potential to be used in performance-based analysis.

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Notes

  1. Certain commercial entities, equipment, or materials may be identified in this document in order to describe an experimental procedure or concept adequately. Such identification is not intended to imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, nor is it intended to imply that the entities, materials, or equipment are necessarily the best available for the purpose.

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Acknowledgments

Valuable suggestions and review comments from Dr. Anthony Hamins, Dr. Fahim Sadek, Dr. Matthew Bundy and Mr. Keith Stakes of NIST are acknowledged.

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Author notes

  1. Daisuke Kamikawa

    Present address: Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Matsunosato 1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fire Research Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 1070, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899-1070, USA

    Chao Zhang, Julio G. Silva & Craig Weinschenk

  2. Department of Architecture, Waseda University, Okubo 3-4-1, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan

    Daisuke Kamikawa & Yuji Hasemi

Authors
  1. Chao Zhang
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  2. Julio G. Silva
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  3. Craig Weinschenk
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  4. Daisuke Kamikawa
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  5. Yuji Hasemi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chao Zhang.

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Zhang, C., Silva, J.G., Weinschenk, C. et al. Simulation Methodology for Coupled Fire-Structure Analysis: Modeling Localized Fire Tests on a Steel Column. Fire Technol 52, 239–262 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10694-015-0495-9

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