STABILITY OF STEEL COLUMNS IN CASE OF FIRE - NUMERICAL MODELING

The behavior of steel columns submitted to axial compressive forces in case of fire is analyzed by means of numerical programs. Centrally lo aded as well as eccentrically loaded columns are considered. A proposa l is made for a buckling coefficient in case of central loading and fo r an interaction formula in case of eccentrical loading, based on the material properties of steel at elevated temperatures as defined in th e 1995 Eurocode. The buckling coefficient comprises one scalar paramet er that has to be calibrated by comparison with experimental results t o ensure the appropriate safety level.