A structural analysis of the first Cardington test

This paper presents a finite element analysis of the first Cardington test using shell elements to model the concrete floor slab. The behaviour of the se elements is defined using FEAST, a program that allows the behaviour of the shell elements to be defined within the commercial finite element packa ge ABAQUS. using stress-resultants. The model of the test is described and the assumptions that were made are noted and justified. The results of the analysis indicate that the response of the structure is overwhelmingly domi nated by the effects of thermal expansion and that material degradation and gravity loading are of secondary importance. It is noted that as a consequ ence of the rectangular nature of the fire compartment, tensile membrane ac tion occurs from the beginning of the test. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.