Exploring Fire Design in Canada: A Comparative Study of Probabilistic and Deterministic Approaches with Focus on FEA Modeling of Steel and UHPC Structures
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Authors
Flint, Joseph Maloney
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
FEA , Fire safety engineering , Fragility , Steel , UHPC , Concrete damage plasticity , Performance based design , Localized fire
Alternative Title
Abstract
This thesis delves into the challenges of Fire Safety Engineering (FSE) in Canada, particularly addressing the modelling barriers to the analysis of steel and ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) structures in Canadian fire design. Discussing probabilistic and deterministic methodologies, it scrutinizes finite element analysis (FEA) for steel structures and UHPC. Addressing fire-induced failure risks, one study delves into mechanical degradation at elevated temperatures from design standards and current literature. Leveraging fire dynamics and material equations to produce fragility curves, pinpointing risks from structural deflections owing to thermal gradients. Such a strategy highlighted the effectiveness of simplified assumptions in modeling to derive a fragility function of a steel element. It expanded on the role of risk analysis and failure prediction for understanding finite resource allocation. An additional assessment of a steel beam column assembly focused on localized fires. Utilizing FEA, thermal boundary conditions and mechanical deflections were produced, spotlighting the uniqueness and challenges of the thermal gradients. The ability of the practitioner in such modelling is accentuated, both in result interpretation and in the application of experimental data. The study also underscores FEA's constraints, discusses the benefit of increased fidelity in input data and an increased understanding of model assumptions. Finally, a study on UHPC at escalated temperatures is conducted, it navigated UHPC behaviour and concrete damage plasticity model parameters. Via parametric calibration, optimal modeling parameters were found compared to empirical stress-strain curves at elevated temperatures. The study advocated for further research avenues to identify various UHPC properties at increased temperature, such as a probing of UHPC’s cyclic nature, and an incorporation of spalling in the model. Lastly, the thesis unveiled barriers in fire modeling and proposed specific solutions, underscored the necessity for constant adaptation in FSE and advocated for practitioners skilled in modern tools and techniques, enhancing the growth of fire safety engineering in Canada.
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Attribution 4.0 International
Queen's University's Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License for Deposit to QSpace and Library and Archives Canada
Proquest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owne
Queen's University's Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License for Deposit to QSpace and Library and Archives Canada
Proquest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owne