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Slim Concrete Columns EC Vs BS - NHBC

Slim concrete columns can be designed to provide adequate fire resistance through several approaches. Realistic assessment of fire exposure is important. Eurocode 2 allows for flexible and accurate modeling, while BS 8110 is more conservative. Supplementary protection may be considered but careful design and testing is required. Early consultation with an NHBC engineer is recommended to discuss design options.

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306 views25 pages

Slim Concrete Columns EC Vs BS - NHBC

Slim concrete columns can be designed to provide adequate fire resistance through several approaches. Realistic assessment of fire exposure is important. Eurocode 2 allows for flexible and accurate modeling, while BS 8110 is more conservative. Supplementary protection may be considered but careful design and testing is required. Early consultation with an NHBC engineer is recommended to discuss design options.

Uploaded by

alberto5791
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Slim concrete columns – fire resistant design

Patrick Piggott
Major Projects Engineer, NHBC
Slim concrete columns – fire resistant design

NHBC no
longer accept
the use of • Not true!
blade columns

• Fire resistance sometimes overlooked


• Appropriately designed
• Exposure to fire – realistic?
Slim concrete columns – fire resistant design
• Slim column - definition
• Concrete in fire.
• Exposure - realistic?
• Design approaches.
• Supplementary protection.
• Buildability.
Definition

Slim or Blade Column


Columns

1 1
1 =< 4
Walls Considered a Wall
1
>4
Slim concrete columns – fire resistant design

Column 250mm or less


Heat transfer

Column core
remains
relatively cool.
Heat degradation Steel
Concrete
Reinforcement
1200oC concrete melts!
800oC steel strength
lost
600oC strength / stiffness lost

350oC strength / stiffness 400oC strength loss


loss starts starts
Heated column
500oC temperature
contour (isotherm)

Load bearing
based on 400
reduced
concrete
section 500
800

Reinforcement 400 - 800oC


- reduced strength
Degree of exposure – Compartment Wall
Compartment Wall
60 mins FR
0 - 60 mins Column
(Fire - one side) 120 mins FR

61 - 120 mins
(Fire – more than Fire breaks
one side) through wall
Degree of exposure – External Wall
External Wall
30 mins FR or
0 - 30 mins less
(Fire - one side) Column
120 mins FR

31 - 120 mins
(Fire – more than Fire breaks
one side) through wall
Degree of exposure
• Realistic assessment of exposure to fire.
• Will be challenged if not robust.
So:
• Engage early with NHBC Engineer for advice.
Design Codes
Eurocode 2 - BS EN 1992 BS 8110
• Refined • Basic
Tabular Tabular
• Simplified • Fire Testing
Calculation
• Advanced
Calculation
• Fire Testing
Design Approach
Eurocode 2 - BS EN 1992 – Tabular Method - Columns

• Assumes square columns


- slim columns can be
assessed.
• Sides exposed.
• Load during fire
• Min. column width
• Min. depth to main rebar
Design Approach
Eurocode 2 - BS EN 1992 – Tabular Method Walls

• Use if width to depth exceeds 1:4.


• Sides exposed.
• Load during fire
• Min. column width
• Min. depth to main rebar
Design Approach
Eurocode 2 - BS EN 1992 – Calculation Models Reinforcement 400 - 800oC
has reduced strength

• Heat transfer.
Reduced
Width
• Capacity reduction - heat and section

degradation.
• Load capacity during fire situation.

Depth
Design Approachcolumns – Design Approaches
BS 8110 – Tabular Method Columns
• Assumes square columns (no provision for slim columns).
• Sides exposed.
• Load during fire.
• Min. column width
• Min. cover to main rebar
Design Approach
BS 8110 – Tabular Method Walls

• Use if width to depth exceeds 1:4.


• Sides exposed.
• Load during fire.
• Min. column width
• Min. cover to main rebar
Design Approaches
Eurocode 2 BS 8110

• Refined prescriptive (tabular) • Basic prescriptive (tabular)


design; conservative. design; very conservative.
• Performance based • Performance based design –
(engineered) design; realistic / Not covered.
less conservative.
• Modelling / design of actual slim
columns not possible.
Design Alternatives
Equivalent time of fire exposure – BS EN 1991-1-2 (Eurocode 1)
Determines the severity of a real fire.
The duration of structural fire resistance required
can then be reduced to suit the real fire.
Design Alternatives
Supplementary Fire Protection

Fire-boards or surface coatings.


Independent third party fire testing required.

Installation must follow the tested arrangement


exactly!
Design Approach - Summary

• Eurocode 2 - flexible approaches -


realistic design possible.
• BS 8110 - prescriptive - very
conservative design.
• Fire testing - unlikely to be cost-effective.
• Supplementary protection - consider with
care.
Retrospective Justification

• Discuss with the NHBC Engineer.


• If exposure unrealistic use of Eurocode 2 can
be considered – subject to appropriate
caution.

• Exhaust all desk based options.


Buildability
• Slim columns with enhanced cover.
• Concrete placement and compaction.

• Reduce aggregate size.


• Workmanship critical!

180 Clear gap c. 50mm


Slim concrete columns – fire resistant design

Summary – Key Points


• Realistic exposure to fire.
• Eurocode 2 - more accurate / economical design.
• BS 8110 - limited scope and conservative – two side exposure of walls
requires alternative justification.
• With appropriate design - no need for supplementary protection.
• Contact NHBC Engineer early for advice.

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