Probabilistic model for steel yield strength retention factor at elevated temperatures : influence of model choice on structural failure fragility curve for steel columns exposed to fire

Abstract: Interest in quantifying the risk and reliability within a Performance Based Design approach for application in structural fire engineering is increasing. Yet, a well-established and commonly accepted set of models to capture uncertainty, especially when quantifying material properties at elevated temperatures, does not currently exist. The choice of probability distribution for material properties that captures scatter in data over a range of temperatures can influence the simulated structural response. There is also a need to ensure continuity in reliability appraisals during transition from normal to elevated temperatures. This research aims to quantify uncertainty in the yield strength of steel at elevated temperatures using different modeling approaches and investigates the influence of such model choices on the response of a steel column during a fire. The model choices are related to a collection of experimental data from the literature, and a study of the obtained histograms of the yield strength reduction factor for elevated temperatures. Model efficiency in capturing the fragility curve of failure temperature is discussed and exemplified through probabilistic structural fire analysis of steel columns.

Publication year:2018

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