CHAPTER 2 Design methods 2.1. Introduction In the UK the traditional means of meeting the requirements of the Building Regulations in terms of fire resistance of structures has been to rely on tabulated data related to perfor- ‘mance in standard fire tests, The Eurocodes present a range of options for the designer ranging from prescriptive rules based on standard fire resistance periods and the use of tabu- lated data, to calculation procedures based on a natural fire exposure and whole building behaviour. The extent to which cach of these methods can be used with a particular form of construction is dependent on the state of knowledge regarding the material performance in fire and the availability of suitably validated design methods. The general design proce- dure for the fire limit state indicating the potential routes for compliance with the regulatory requirement is summarized in Fig. 2.1 ‘Table 2.1 summarizes the alternative methods available in the Eurocodes for the verifica tion of fie resistance for concrete structures. Traditional UK practice generally only consid- ers the most simple element in the matrix. The hierarchy in terms of complexity is tabulated data followed by simple calculation methods followed by advanced calculation methods. For the designer the tabulated approach should be the first port of call and should be suitable for the vast majority of structures, Calculation methods can be used to demonstrate performance under specific conditions and may provide substantial savings in certain circumstances. Advanced calcula- tion methods (typically non-linear finite-element models) may be used where the structure is very complex and where the provisions of the National regulations are not applicable Examples of such structures would include sports stadia, exhibition halls or airport terminals, The Eurocode approach to structural design will be unfamiliar to many UK engineers. However, there are a number of similarities between the approaches adopted. The standard design route will remain the use of tabulated data with reference to specified periods of fire resistance related to the standard fire test. The most significant difference in approach is one which is not restricted to the use of the fire parts of the material codes but is perhaps more pronounced in this area. The information required to carry out structural fire engineering. design has traditionally been located within one material code. The structural Eurocodes are an integrated suite of design standards and are meant to be used as such. To carry out a design for conerete structures, for example, using tabulated values from the National standards, the designer needs only refer to the relevant National material codes. For a similar design to the Eurocode it is necessary to obtain partial factors from EN 1990, information on loads from EN 1991-1, information on the thermal and mechanical response from EN 1991-1-2 and finally obtain the required dimensions from EN 1992-1-2. Although the fire design methodology adopted in the Eurocodes is radically different from the procedures generally used in the UK, the end result, in terms of member sizes and cover to reinforcement is, in many cases, similar.DESIGNERS’ GUIDE TO EN 1991-1-2, 1992-1-2, 1993-1-2 AND 1994-1-2 aunposoud uBisog “12 “Bi spew spc sou (rere) peaeney peavey to ‘or stepou stepou sepou eum reoueau vena veers wore 219 uomwees euereraeo poy py ng page. I eso reverses Spou woud om pean sae a0 stew prove oe owas ‘Deskeuy ede aon (come ua pose fac) (ou ieuon A on sores eww) ope0 poo ocueuopod ‘ar ouoms pep oan 4CHAPTER 2. DESIGN METHODS Table 2.1. Alternative methods for verification of fire resistance to EN 1992--2 Advanced Tabulated dace: Simplified calculation caleulation prescriptive methods methods methods Member analysis. The YES YES YES member is considered as ‘Data given for Standard fire and © Only the: isolated Indirect fire standard fire only parametric fire principles actions are not © In principle, data * Temperature profiles given are given considered, except those could be developed for standard fire only resulting from thermal for other fire ‘+ Material models apply only gradients curves ‘to heating rates similar to standard fire Analysis of parts of the NO YES YES structure. Indirect fire + Standard fire and © Only the actions within the sub- parametric fire principles assembly are considered, + Temperature profiles given are given but no time-dependent for standard fire only ineeraction with other » Material models apply only parts of the structure to heating rates similar to standard fire Global structural NO. No YES analysis. Analysis of the © Only the entire structure. Indirect principles fire actions are considered are given throughoue the structure In the fire parts of the various material codes (EN 1992-1-2, BN 1993-1-2, EN 1994-1-2), fire resistance may be determined either by: + simple calculation models + advanced calculation models, or + tabulated data: The current UK Standards are based on tabulated periods of fire resistance derived from standard fire tests and fire resistance derived from calculations in certain specific cases. The regulatory requirement is generally specified in National regulations based on the type of occupancy (office, domestic, retail, ete.) and the height of the structure. The design procedure from the Eurocodes indicating the relationship between the various standards required for design is as follows: + selection of relevant design fire scenario (EN 1991- + determination of corresponding design fire (EN 1991-1-2) + calculation of the temperature rise of the structural members (EN 1992-1-2, EN 1993 EN 1994-1-2) + calculation of the mechanical response (EN 1992- EN 1993-1-2, EN 1994-1-2), ‘The situation is illustrated schematically in Fig. 2.2. ‘The most significant difference in approach is that load effects both in relation to dead and imposed loading and the time-temperature regime to be used for assessment are not contained within the material code but in the relevant codes for actions on structures. In the Eurocodes, simple calculation methods are based on an assessment of the deteriora- tion in material properties at elevated temperature together with an assessment of the appropriate load for the fire limit state, The resistance is then calculated based on reduction factors appropriate to the design thermal exposure and compared to the load effects present at the time of the fire. Advanced calculation methods typically involve the use of complex finite-element models and would not in general be available to designers.