Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/K59828/01
Title:	PERFORMANCE IN FIRE OF RESTRAINED COLUMNS IN STEEL FRAMED CONSTRUCTION
Principal Investigator:	O'Connor, Dr D
Other Investigators:	Shields, Professor TJ Shields, Professor T Silcock, Dr G
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	BRE Group (Building Res Establishment) Pre Nexus Migration Steel Construction Institute
Department:	Sch of Built Environment
Organisation:	University of Ulster
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 February 1996	Ends:	31 January 1999	Value (£):	125,340
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Civil Engineering Materials
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Construction
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
The project combines a major test programme with an integrated computational parametric study. Its purpose is to study the mechanics of steel building column failure at high temperatures, and the major parameters which influence it. In particular, it will evaluate in a systematic manner the effects of different conditions of support and continuity on the displacement-time behaviour of free and restrained steel columns, both in a test fire environment and by computer simulation. It will attempt to identify the circumstances in which local failure of columns causes both widespread failure, and those where redistribution of load paths to surrounding structure contains the effects. The studies are aimed towards the development of validated design guidance for designers of multi-storey steel and composite frames. Even the most recently published codes deal with columns only in terms of isolated pin-ended members, taking no account of the effects of continuity or restraint. It has been seen in at least one well documented recent example that restraint to columns has a major effect on their performance in fire scenarios.
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Organisation Website:	http://www.ulst.ac.uk