NONLINEAR FINITE-ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF PLANAR REINFORCED-CONCRETE MEMBERS SUBJECTED TO FIRES

A nonlinear finite element procedure for predicting the structural beh avior of planar-reinforced planar-reinforced concrete members subjecte d to fire is described. The proposed procedure is based on an iterativ e, secant stiffness formulation. The complex features of structural be havior in fire conditions, such as thermal expansion, shrinkage, creep , cracking or crushing and change of material properties with temperat ure are considered. The spalling of concrete is excluded in this model . Predictions from the model proposed are compared against experimenta l results by previous researchers.