ABSTRACT

This paper contains eight chapters and presents the behaviour of buildings, component
elements and main materials used in construction when subjected to the effects of fire.
The beginning part of the paper, contains a brief classification of constructions, actions
to which they are exposed during operating period and a description of the main construction
materials.
The following part includes methods of determining the fire resistance of metal
structures. These types of structures are analyzed carefully during the paper, both in terms of
computer simulation of their behavior and how do they actual behave during a fire.
The behavior of concrete, a material commonly used in constructions, is also analyzed,
especially in terms of spalling, a specific phenomenon for concrete which appears due to
temperature increase in its mass during a fire.
Towards the end of the paper the effects that fire has on building materials are exposed
and are presented methods to improve their fire resistance.
Finally a calculation is made to verify the fire resistance of a metalic beam.