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Contribution to the Numerical Modelling of the Spalling Phenomenon: Case of a Reinforced Concrete Beams

  • Research Article - Civil Engineering
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Abstract

The paper presents a numerical study of reinforced concrete (RC) beams in fire, in which spalling is taken into account in a simplified manner and its effects on the structural response are investigated. Finite element simulations are conducted using the software SAFIR. The criteria to determine the onset of spalling are the temperature reached in the finite element: concrete layers are removed when their temperature reaches \(400\,{^{\circ }}\hbox {C}\). The effect of spalling on the temperature distribution inside the beam section and on the time of failure is discussed. Different configurations are studied, in terms of extent of spalling along the beam and type of supports. Further, it is also shown that the extent of spalling has significant influence on the fire resistance of RC beams and that this is by reducing the failure time and/or by reducing the yield strength and tangent modulus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Civil Engineering and Hydraulics, University of Guelma, Guelma, Algeria

    Cherif Guergah & Mohamed Guenfoud

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Batna, Batna, Algeria

    Mohamed Salah Dimia

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  1. Cherif Guergah
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  2. Mohamed Salah Dimia
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  3. Mohamed Guenfoud
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Correspondence to Cherif Guergah.

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Guergah, C., Dimia, M.S. & Guenfoud, M. Contribution to the Numerical Modelling of the Spalling Phenomenon: Case of a Reinforced Concrete Beams. Arab J Sci Eng 43, 1747–1759 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-017-2704-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-017-2704-y

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