Structural fire design to EC3 and EC4 and comparison with BS 5950 - 12.

External steelwork

Code Clause

l2

EXTERNAL STEELWORK
Eurocode 3 : Part 1.2 makes extensive reference to the temperatures experienced in fire by steelwork located outside the building envelope. This aspect is covered in Annex C of EC3 : Part 1.2. In principle, external steel columns and beams may be partially shielded from direct exposure to the fire plume discharging through windows and doors so that the heat flux is only due to radiant heat from the flame. Such a strategy relies on the use of robust cladding, which does not fail or radiate heat in fire, and carefully located openings in are the facade, so that the exposed steel members not directly heated. Use of unprotected steel can usually be justified depending on the size and locationof the steel sections. This technology has been used successfully on a number of steel framed buildings. The guidance in EC3 : Part 1.2 Annex C is based on the existing publication by Law and OBrien(40),and uses the same basic physical equations, which are presented in summary as follows:

Created on 24 May 2006 This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Steelbiz Licence Agreement

12.1 Influenceoflocation of steelmembers

EC3: Part 1.2 Annex C considers two cases: Members not engulfed in flame, and members engulfed in flame. The dimensions ofthe fire plume or flameemanating froman opening depends on whether or not there is a through draught. Flames tend to emerge from the upper two thirds of an opening, the cold air being drawn in below this level. The horizontal projection of the flame is approximately same the dimension, i.e. 2/3h increasing with the through draught. The width flame is approximately equal to the opening width, (see Figure 29). The optimum location of the steel beams or columns is therefore strongly influenced by the dimensions of the flame. EC3 Annex C illustrates the relevant design cases. Clearly members engulfed in flame will experience higher temperatures than those that partially are shielded. Columns may be located between openings to reduce their heat flux, but beams are likely to be located directly above openings, and may be subject to greater heat flux. The projection of the flame can be altered by awnings above the openings, but these projections may be aesthetically undesirable. Alternatively, beams be may located some distance from the openings, but again, this is architecturally difficult to achieve.
E C Annex c 2 ~
& c3

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Structural fire design to EC3 and EC4 and comparison with BS 5950 - 12. External steelwork

Code Clause

2h13
K

2h13
M *

~-%

A
3

Plan

h<1.25w, wall above

No wall above

or h z 1 . 2 5 ~

Figure 29

Projection of a flamethrough anopening

Created on 24 May 2006 This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Steelbiz Licence Agreement

12.2 Heat transfer to a steel member

The heat transfer formulations are defined for the following four cases in EC3: Part 1.2: Columns not engulfed in flame - Annex C2 Beams not engulfed in flame
-

Annex C3

Columns engulfed in flame - Annex C4 Beams engulfed in flame - Annex C5 The design formula for one case is presented as follows: For members not engulfed in flame, the average temperature, T, of the steel member is determined from the following equation.
ap

+ a T = I , + I f + 293 a

(62)

EC3 Annex cl C l .3

where :
a =

cc = I, = I, =

Stefan Boltzmann constant = 56.7 X kW/m2 convective heat transfer coefficient (kW/m2 K ) radiative heat flux from theflame (kW/m2) radiative heat flux from the opening (kW/m2).

Formulae are given for all these radiation effects. Reference is made to Eurocode 1 Part 2.2 (ENV 1991-2-2) for these various heat transfer coefficients. This analysis is not appropriate for hand calculation, although the publication by Law and OBrien(40) does

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Structural fire design to EC3 and EC4 and comparison with BS 5950 - 12. External steelwork

Code Clause

contain a worked example. It is considered that this publication is deemed to satisfy the requirements of EC3: Part 1.2 despitethe subtle differences between the two methods. Further description of EC3: Part 1.2 Annex C is not presented in is aspecialist subject. However, there are many thisGuideasit examples of where external steelwork has been used successfully.

Created on 24 May 2006 This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Steelbiz Licence Agreement

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