An integrated adaptive environment for fire and explosion analysis of steel frames - Part II: verification and application

The companion paper presents a new adaptive method for integrated fire and explosion analysis of steel frames. This paper verifies the new development s, implemented within the nonlinear analysis program ADAPTIC, particularly against the results of experiments on steel members and frames subjected to fire. The benefits of adaptive nonlinear analysis are then highlighted by means of an example which demonstrates its computational superiority over c onventional nonlinear analysis. Finally, parametric studies on column and f rame configurations subject to the successive actions of explosion and fire are undertaken using the developed integrated analysis tool. The results o f these preliminary studies indicate that the damage induced by moderate ex plosion loading can significantly influence the fire resistance of steel st ructures. Collectively, the capabilities and efficiency of the developed en vironment emphasise the important role that it can play in further studies aimed at generating design guidance. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rig hts reserved.