1

Structural Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Beam

under Elevated Temperature

HSU Tu Uy
NGUYEN Dang Nghiep Trinh
PFIEV, Faculty of Civil Engineering
Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology – VNU-HCM PFIEV, Faculty of Civil Engineering
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology – VNU-HCM
E-mail: 1513979@hcmut.edu.vn Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
E-mail: 1513690@hcmut.edu.vn

NGUYEN Tran Vu
NGO-HUU Cuong (Instructor)
PFIEV, Faculty of Civil Engineering
Department of Structural
Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology – VNU-HCM
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Engineering Faculty of Civil
E-mail: 15114117@hcmut.edu.vn Engineering
Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology – VNU-HCM
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Abstract—So far, there have been many industrial, residential

with two ways of applying the effect of different heat. Le Viet
and office buildings in fire, therefore the response of reinforced
concrete beam, one of the main members in the frame system, Dung (2012) [6] studied the effect of temperature on the
under elevated temperature need be analyzed. In this study, the physical and mechanical properties of two types of concrete
structural behavior of reinforced concrete beam is investigated in and steel materials to the bearing capacity of reinforced
different temperature. The nonlinear stress-strain relations of concrete structures.
concrete and rebar materials subjected to static loading under In the current integration environment, Vietnamese science
different temperature levels as well as the thermal distribution in is approaching advanced computer software. Furthermore, the
the section are included in the analysis. The nonlinear analysis use of software to simulate, analyze and calculate the results is
based on finite element method combined with the fiber
a great benefit instead of the real-time models that are costly
discretization of the section is performed by the Matlab
and time-consuming. By gradually developing and improving,
programing language. The deflection behavior of the reinforced
concrete beam is the key result for the structural investigation of
software is increasingly gaining the satisfaction of scientific
beams under mechanical and thermal loadings. researchers with the accuracy and speed of calculating and
producing results, gradually replacing real work experience.
Keywords—reinforced concrete; beam; elevated temperature;
fiber method; finite element method. II. HYPOTHESIS AND MODELS
A. Hypothesis
I. INTRODUCTION
This study refers to the use of fiber method and finite
Over the past four decades, a number of theoretical and
element method to predict the behavior of rectangular
experimental studies have been carried out to study the
structural behavior of reinforced concrete beams under reinforced concrete beam at elevated temperatures when the
temperature varies from low to high. beam is bending, considered the nonlinear materials,
regardless of thermal deformation. Models of materials used
In the world, Frank J. Vecchino (1987) [1] studied the for concrete and reinforcement, reduction of material
nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete frames subjected to
properties, heat distribution on the section are also presented.
thermal and mechanical loads. T. D. Lin et al. (1988) [2]
investigated the flexural and shear behavior of reinforced The assumptions are as follows:
concrete beams during fire tests. Izzuddin and Elghazouli 1) Bernoulli’s hypothesis: Initially, the element is straight
(2004) [3] studied the analytical modeling for failure of lightly and prismatic. The cross-section is still flat after deformation.
reinforced concrete members under fire. 2) Neglect the effect of Poisson's coefficient and local
deformation of the cross section.
In Vietnam, Hoang Anh Giang (2000, 2017) [4, 5] studied
3) Cross-sectional plastic deformation is only affected by
and determined the fire load in calculating fire resistance of
construction works and then studied the behavior of reinforced bending moments (the effect of shear stress is not considered)
concrete beams affected by fire through comparison of 4) Materials are homogeneous and isotropic.
temperature distribution diagrams on the cross section of 5) The material model is ideal elastic-plastic.
reinforced concrete beams determined by combustion test and
by finite element method and simulation in ANSYS software
 2

B. Materials Model
With:
In this study, the stress-strain models according to
(6)
Eurocode 2 are chosen due to the due to the simplicity of the
model in applying to set the element stiffness matrix and (7)
analytical programming.
1) Steel (8)
Eurocode 2 [7] proposed using concrete model for normal
temperature: (9)

In this study, the ideal plastic elastic model is chosen

because it is widely used in domestic and foreign research.
2) Concrete
Eurocode 2 [7] proposed using concrete model for normal
temperature:
This material model is proposed by Karayannis and used
by Eurocode 2 as the following formula:
σc = 1000sc ( –250sc + 1).fck (10)

Fig. 1. Material model of steel

Fig. 3. Concrete material model according to Eurocode 2
For steel, due to its high homogeneity and isotropy, the
commonly material models are: linear elasticity, ideal plastic
elasticity or linear elastic plastic elastic model.
Eurocode 2 [7] proposed using steel model for thermal
analysis.
The stress-strain relationships given in Figure 2 are
defined by three parameters:
• the slope of the linear elastic range Es,θ
• the proportional limit fsp,θ
• the maximum stress level fsy,θ

Eurocode 2 [7] proposed using concrete model for thermal

analysis.
The strength and deformation properties of uniaxial
stressed concrete at elevated temperatures shall be obtained
from the stress-strain relationships as presented in Figure 4.
The stress-strain relationships given in Figure 4 are
defined by two parameters:
• the compressive strength fc,θ
• the strain εc1,θ corresponding to fc,θ.
Fig. 2. Material model of steel at elevated temperatures

The stress-strain relationships of reinforcing steel may be

determined by the following formulas:
When ε < εsp,θ
 3

(1)
When εsp,θ ≤ ε ≤ εsy,θ
(2)
When εsy,θ ≤ ε ≤ εst,θ
(3)
When εst,θ ≤ ε < εsu,θ
(4)

When ε = εsu,θ Fig. 4. Concrete material model at elevated temperatures according to

(5) Eurocode 2
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With: ε < εc1,o (with siliceous) properties by Eurocode 2

θ(oC) kE kf θ(oC) kE kf
3εfc,o 0 1 1 700 0.13 0.23
σ=  3

εc1,o  2+  ε   100 1 1 800 0.09 0.11
   εc1,o   200 0.9 1 900 0.07 0.06
  (11) 300 0.8 1 1000 0.04 0.04
400 0.7 1 1100 0.02 0.02
ε > εc1,o linear or non-linear model are permitted
500 0.6 0.78 1200 0 0
600 0.31 0.47 - - -
C. Capacity Reduction
1) Reduction of Materials Properties of Steel
When the temperature increases, the properties of In this study, the data from Eurocode 2 proposal table and
materials in general and steel in particular change. Especially, interpolation method are applied for thermal analysis.
the material properties of steel reduce faster at elevated
temperatures. With: (14) ; (15)
Eurocode 2 [7] proposes the reducing of material
properties of steel for thermal analysis:
The reduction of the characteristic of steel as a function of
the temperature θ may be used as given in Table 1 (both
characteristic strength and elastic modulus of concrete) or
from Figure 6 (only characteristic strength).

TABLE 1. Coefficients by temperature

for steel properties (class N) by Eurocode 2
θ(oC) kE kf θ(oC) kE kf
0 1 1 700 0.13 0.23
100 1 1 800 0.09 0.11
200 0.9 1 900 0.07 0.06 Fig. 6. Coefficient kf(θ) allowing for decrease of characteristic strength (fck)
300 0.8 1 1000 0.04 0.04 of concrete according to Eurocode 2
400 0.7 1 1100 0.02 0.02
500 0.6 0.78 1200 0 0 D. Thermal Distribution In Cross Section
600 0.31 0.47 - - -
An important factor in heat-resistant structural analysis is
the consideration of heat distribution on the section.
With: (12) ; (13) Depending on the properties of materials, the behavior of
spread and absorb heat occur at different levels. Determining
the heat distribution in concrete directly affects the results of
the analysis, as the material properties of steel and concrete
relate with the current temperature level. Many results of
thermal distribution are proposed:
The experiments are conducted by Kichuki et al. (1993)
[8]: 2 square sample with 1.5m long, 2m thick and four sides
covered by an insulating layer intended to only apply heat in
one direction, is heated to the temperature of 1500˚C. The
result is shown in Figure 7.

Fig. 5. Coefficient kf(θ) allowing for decrease of characteristic strength (fyk)

of tension and compression reinforcement (Class N) according to Eurocode 2

2) Reduction of Materials Properties of Concrete

Concrete is also reduced in properties when exposed to
different temperature level.
Eurocode 2 [7] also proposes the reducing of material
properties of concrete for thermal analysis:
The reduction of the characteristic of concrete as a
function of the temperature θ may be used as given in Table 2
(both compressive strength and elastic modulus of concrete)
or from Figure 6 (only compressive strength) Fig. 7. Distribution of heat by distance according to Kichuki
TABLE 2. Coefficients by temperature for normal concrete
 5

Josephine Voigt Carstensen (2011) [9] studied the

A. Fiber discretization
behavior of reinforced concrete slab with 4m long, 1m width
and 150mm thick slab, top layer with diameter of 8mm, The section is divided equally into 2-dimensional
bottom layer with diameter of 6mm, with reinforced step of longitudinal fibers. Thus, at each fibers of the section there is
150 mm for both top and bottom layers. The results are shown a specific deformation-stress state and also a specific
in the Figure 8. temperature state.
Meshing into how many fibers to ensure convergence is
also an issue to consider. Through the analysis of different
types of problems, our team proposes to divide the grid 20x20
- 30x30 as in Figure 7.
The amount of fiber above is enough for the convergence
of the program and reduces the analysis time.
The temperature state depends on the smallest distance of
the fiber to the edges of the section:
Ti = max(fT (xi ),fT ( yi (16)
))

Fig. 8. Distribution of heat by distance according to Josephine Voigt

Carstensen

Eurocode 2 [7] proposed the temperature profile for a beam

with h x b = 600 x 300 (mm). The heat distribution is shown
in Figure 9.

Fig. 10. Fiber discretization on section

B. Determine the elements’ properties

Determining the modulus of elasticity and the strength of
the fibers in high temperature is the most important task in
non-linear analysis. We assume that the strength of concrete
and reinforcement material have been determined.
1) Deformation
Axial incremental section deformation can be calculated
by:

Fig. 9. Temperature profiles (°C) for a beam

h x b = 600 x 300
(17)

In this study, the temperature profile from Eurocode 2 is With:

applied for determining thermal distribution in cross section. is the elastic modulus of material.
III. PROGRAMMING
Currently, there are many programming languages used in is the fiber’s moment of inertia about
structural analysis in particular and in the process of solving the neutral axis.
technical problems in general. The choice of programming
The change of temperature leads to the change of elastic
language will depend on the nature of the problem and the
modulus and fiber’s deformation, so we have the following
developer's goals. Within the scope of the topic, Matlab is
chosen because this is a programming tool. In this study, code with a is the fiber area and α is the decrease in material
Matlab software is used with the fiber discretization method to properties due to temperature.
find the hardness of cross-sections of reinforced concrete For each fiber:
beams at high temperatures. Similarly, Matlab software and
finite element method are applied to analyze the behavior of • Concrete
reinforced concrete beams at high temperatures.
(18)
 6

From the displacement vector d, determine the internal

(19) force:
• Rebar {r}=[K]{d} (27)
C. Looping algorithm
(20)
Section stiffness and bending moment for each
element are 2 factors for looping algorithm. is used to
(21)
determine the bending moment by finite element method
If fiber’s deformation is out of condition range, this fiber is and then is uses to calculate section stiffness under high
neglected with temperature due to fiber’s division method. The end condition
We have the matrix of elasticity modulus E and inertia for looping is the relative error under 0,01%.
moment Ix corresponding to each fiber.
Neutral axis is recalculated with equation:

(22)

Axial deformation of fibers can be calculated by:

(23)
Then, deformation is used to determine the incremental of
section and modulus of elasticity E of the section. The
repetition process until the relative error under 0,01%.
2) Finite element
From the section equivalent stiffness , the finite
element is applied to calculate the behavior of simply-
supported beam at each temperature level.

Fig. 11. Beam element devided

Matrix of rigidity (Neglect the axial force)

K=EI/L3 (24)
Fig. 13. Looping algorithm

D. Analysis example
Matrix of loading on beam
Beam section is used to analysis in the scope of this study:

Fig. 12. Beam loading

{P}= (25)

From boundary condition and the equation equilibrium

system
[K*]{d}={g*} (26) Fig. 14. Beam section
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E. Conclusion
After researching and finding an algorithm to analyze the
behavior of reinforced concrete beam under high temperature,
it can be seen that the advantages of the algorithm are quick
solution and approximate to the previous research results by
comparing and using the same element. However, the analysis
Fig. 15. Beam element results of the group are still close to each specific time when
compared to the results of another study calculated heat-
TABLE 3. Beam properties resistant over time.
b h fc fy Besides, the algorithm is easily edited; moreover, the
Rebar
(mm) (mm) (N/mm2) (N/mm2) parameters of the structure or the properties of the material are also
23 54 6 25 30 500 easily entered in the algorithm. Analysis, processing and
calculation time is also fast and accuracy is adjustable according to
• Results desire.
The algorithm can analyze the behavior of reinforced concrete
beams from low to high temperatures. Although in reality the
buildings also do not reach the temperature of 900oC or higher,
many buildings also need to pay attention to the capacity of the
structure such as industrial buildings involving heat treatment or
hot welding, hence the research is necessary to analyze these cases.
F. Further development
From the results of the study, the development into the
behavior analysis of other reinforced concrete members such
as floors, columns, walls is convenient because the research
topic is a stepping stone to further expand for a construction.
Fig. 16. The change of EI under temperature change However, the study still lacks in considering the case of
heat-resistant concrete beams for a long time or due to
variables, shrinkage, etc. Besides, the topic has not considered
the case of temperature reduction. Therefore, this study is a
premise for further analysis for many other cases of reinforced
concrete beams in particular as well as other structures that
use other materials at elevated temperature.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors would like thank to the Research Fund of Ho
Chi Minh City University of Technology for its financial
support to the students of PFIEV “French Vietnamese
Training Program of Excellent Engineers” in the research
project SVPFIEC-2019-KTXD-33.
Fig. 17. The displacement of beam in difference condition 20°C, 520°C,
1020°C Thanks Assoc. Prof. PhD. Ngo Huu Cuong for supporting
us throughout this research.

REFERENCES
[1] Frank J. Vecchino, “Nonlinear Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Frames
Subjected to Thermal and Mechanical Loads”, ACI Structural Journal,
Title no. 84-S51, November-December 1987.
[2] T. D. Lin, Bruce Ellingwood and Olivier Piet, “Flexural and Shear
Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Beams During Fire Tests”, Report
NBS-GCR-87-536, U.S Department of Commerce, National Institute for
Science and Technology, Center for Fire Research, Gaitherburg, Md,
December 1988.
[3] Izzuddin, BA, Elghazouli, AY, “Failure of lightly reinforced concrete
members under fire. I: Analytical modeling”, J STRUCT ENG-ASCE,
vol. 130, pp. 3 – 17, 2004.
[4] Hoang Anh Giang, “Determination of fire resistance limits of basic load-
bearing reinforced concrete structures”, Journal of Construction Science
and Technology, no. 1/2000.
Fig. 18. Results compared with the study of the author T.D.Lin
 8

[5] Hoang Anh Giang, “Reinforced concrete beams under the impact of fire
[8] R. Kichuki, T. Kume, M. Hiramoto, M. Yamajaki, T. Hasegawa, K.
- Selection of elements for thermodynamic model in ANSYS”, Journal
Hirakawa, “Study of Heat Transfer Properties of Concrete Member
of Construction Science and Technology, no. 4, pp. 9-17, 2017.
Under High Temperature”. Elsevier Science Publishers, 1993.
[6] Le Viet Dung, “Simulation study of the behavior of reinforced concrete
[9] Josephine Voigt Carstensen, “Material Modelling of Reinforced
structures under the impact of load and temperature”, Journal of
Concrete at Elevated Temperatures”, Master Thesis, Fire Safety, Section
Construction Science and Technology, no. 86-2012, 2012.
for Building Design,Department of Civil Engineering, The Technical
[7] Eurocode 2, Design of Concrete Structures, Brussels, European University of Denmark, February 2011.
Committee for Standardisation, 2004.