5th International Conference

Structures in Fire (SiF ‘08)

Abstract Review Form

Reviewer: Prof. K H Tan

No. / Paper ID.* / Q1 – Y / N / Q2 / Q3
Abstract fit with the topic of the conf.? / Rating
out of 10 / Comments
(Min. of 3 lines)
1 / S34 / Y / 9 / This paper addresses an important issue in analyzing the restraint effect on the behaviour of isolated members under fire condition. More importantly, it presents test results of steel columns with restrained thermal elongation, embedded and not embedded on masonry walls. The test results are also compared with finite element predictions. From the review, the authors are certainly up to date with their research.
2 / S32 / Y / 7.5 / This paper looks at using advanced calculation model SAFIR to calculate the fire resistance of composite steel-concrete columns in real buildings in Romania. The fire design deals with concrete filled CHS composite cross-sections and cruciform cross sections, partially encased in reinforced concrete.
3 / S31 / Y / 9 / The work studies the failure criteria of the reinforcement in composite slab decking system under ambient and fire conditions. Finite element software that considers both material and geometric nonlinearities is used in the investigation. The paper also reports on a series of ambient tests to calibrate the failure prediction relationships. The experimental arrangements used for material and member tests are described together with the details of the specimens. The work looks very interesting for composite floor systems.
4 / S30 / Y / 8 / The paper presents two potential collapse mechanisms of tall buildings in fire, viz. pull-in forces caused by development of a catenary mechanism acting on external steel columns, and P-δ moments arising from the vertical load from additional floors above the fire floor. A simple analytical method for the calculation of pull-in forces and displacements will be derived and validated against finite element results. This work is potentially interesting as it allows engineers to perform a quick check for external column collapse mechanisms.
5 / S27 / Y / 8 / It is always interesting to look at alternative finite element formulations under fire conditions. In this paper, the authors will present an advanced analytical tool which provides an inelastic analysis of steel and composite (steel-concrete) framed-structures under fire conditions. A heat transfer model is also incorporated for tracing the temperature development of both composite beams and columns. The novelty is that it utilizes the concept of Stability Functions under fire conditions. Not sure if the authors are aware of a similar approach by Toh, W.S. in his PhD titled “Strength and stability of steel structures under thermal effects”, NTU, 2000.
6 / S26 / Y / 7 / This paper presents the work of simple macro models used to predict the overall behavior of structural components under realistic fire conditions (including the cooling phase). The models were verified using published results from standard and natural fire tests. The nonlinear analyses were conducted using: (a) modified-Riks arc length analysis technique, and (b) nonlinear implicit dynamic analyses. It is not clear what the authors mean by macro models. Not sure if they develop the program themselves or using available programs. If it is the former, it should be an interesting work.
7 / S22 / Y / 9 / The paper presents the finite element modelling of steel-angle connections sub-assembly under fire conditions. The connecting parts are studied in detail under different parameters, such as the rate of heating, maximum temperature, rate of cooling, and duration of fire. Any papers that present both numerical models and experimental validations are definitely exciting.
8 / S20 / May be / 4 / The abstract does not seem to make much sense. The novelty of the paper does not stand up and it is not clear what the authors want to do. It seems to me that they intend to make comparison of steel design for temporary housing, based on prescriptive and performance-based approach. The written English is rather poor.
9 / S04 / Y / 7.5 / This paper studies the global structural and thermal behaviour on a three-storey steel frame building at Mittal Steel Ostrava before demolition. The objective was to verify the prediction method of the joint temperature. Comparisons are made between the test results and the temperatures predicted for connections by the structural Eurocodes.
10 / S02 / Y / 8 / This paper investigates the behaviour of a cylindrical steel tank when an adjacent tank is on fire. This paper presents an analytical solution for the stresses in a partially filled tank under the elevated temperature regime caused by fire in an adjacent tank. This reviewer has not seen this kind of work before and it should be very interesting.

* C: Concrete track; S: Steel track; T: Timber track; N: Numerical modeling track