A Parametric Study on Earthquake-Damaged Square Hollow Section T-Joints under Fire Conditions

Abstract

This study numerically investigated the elevated temperature resistance of earthquake-damaged square hollow section (SHS) T-joints subjected to brace axial compressive load. The residual stresses and deformations due to the earthquake were obtained from a pushover analysis. The extensive numerical simulations were analyzed using nonlinear finite-element software to examine the effects of the β ratio, γ ratio, damage level (Dˇ), and initial applied load (nf) on the fire resistance of SHS T-joints after verification of the numerical simulations based on the available test results in the literature. The results indicated that the fire resistance of SHS T-joints with axial compressive load in the brace member decreased significantly due to the residual stresses and deformations from the earthquake. This situation worsened in all numerical models as the damage level increased. The reduction rate of the critical temperature at various damage rates was independent of the initially applied load ratio, but the loading rate directly affected the fire resistance of the joint regardless of the earthquake. As the β ratio decreased, the yielded area at the brace-to-chord intersection region increased. Thus, the critical temperature of the joints at a constant damage level was inversely proportional to the β ratio. Joints with a large γ ratio had larger residual stresses and deformations than those of corresponding joints with a small γ ratio. Therefore, the fire resistance of the joints after the earthquake decreased as the chord-wall thickness decreased. The critical temperature of the joints with either a large β or γ ratio was limited by the deformation limit at high damage levels. The fire resistance of the SHS T-joints after the earthquake decreased due to residual stresses and deformations. That effect increased even more in joints with high β and γ ratios.