2.

2
Heat Transfer in steelwork
Protected
and
unprotected steelwork

Unprotected Steelwork
Tfi

Ts

Reference
Read Page I-43 to I-49
Implementation of Eurocodes Handbook 5:
Design of buildings for the heat situation
Pdf files download from IVLE

3D Transient Heat Transfer

Heat stored per
unit volume

Heat input from fire

per unit
.
area (Heat Flux Q )

dTs
VC s
= h(T fi Ts )As
dt
Cross-section
area (A) x
length

Ts

Tfi
L

Fire exposure
perimeter length
(Hp) around
cross-section x
length

Ts =

h As
(T fi Ts )t
C s V

T5 seconds

h = heat transfer coefficient per unit area per degree Celsius

= hr + hc
Tfi = fire temperature (oC) at particular time t (sec)
Ts = steel temperature, assumed to be uniform, at time t
As/V = section factor (m-1) of the exposed steel member per unit length

hr =

r (273 + Tfi ) 4 (273 + Ts ) 4

(Tfi Ts )

fire

Material
surface

hc = 25
for ISO fire
r = resultant emissivity= f m
= 35 for natural fire and advanced
= 1.0x0.7 = 0.7
fire model
= Stephan Boltzmann constant
= 50 for hydrocarbon fire
= 5.67 x 10-8 W/m2K4
W/(m2K)

Section Factor
Ts

Tfi
L

A s H p L H p perimeter length (H p ) around cross-section

=
=
=
V
AL
A
Cross Section Area

Hp/A Concept
Heating Rate in a fire depends on-

The perimeter of steel exposed

Hp

The cross-sectional area of the section A

Hp/A Concept
High HP
Low A
Fast Heating

Low HP
High A
Slow Heating

Section factor Hp/A unprotected steel members

b

I section with
side plates
reinforcement

perimeter
c/s area

exposed perimeter
c/s area

2(b+h)
c/s area

Section factor Am/V inherently protected systems

exposed perimeter

exposed plate

exposed flange

Total c/s area

Total c/s area

Total c/s area

Am/V for unprotected steel

Temperature-Time Relationship
H = hr + hc, Function of Ts

Ts =

h As
(T fi Ts )t
C s V
Function of T

Ts
Tfi
Ts
t
t+0.5t

t
Steel temperature time curve

t
Fire temperature time curve

Specific heat of steel EC3:Part 1-2

Step by Step Method

Ts =

h As
(T fi Ts )t
C s V

Time (t)

Steel Temp (Ts)

Fire Temp (Tfi)

Difference in
Tem (Tfi Ts)

Change in Steel
Temp Ts from
Equation

t1 = t

Initial steel temp

Tso

Fire temp half

way through
time step (at
t/2)

Tfi Tso

Calculate Ts
with values of Tfi
and Ts from this
row

t2 = t1 + t
:
:
:
:

Ts from previous
time step + Ts
from previous row

Fire temp half

way through
time step
(at t1 + t/2)

Tfi Ts

Calculate Ts
with values of Tfi
and Ts from this
row

h, Cs are calculated based on this fire temp at half time step

Example 1:
Use the step-by-step procedure to calculate
the steel temperature of an unprotected
beam exposed to ISO fire. The beam
section factor is 200 m-1. Use a convective
heat transfer coefficient hc = 25 W/m2K and
emissivity 0.6. The density of steel is 7850
kg/m3 and the specific heat is 600 J/kgK.
Use a time step of 0.5 minutes.

Example 1: use the step by step method to calculate the steel

temperature of an unprotected beam exposed to ISO fire

h r = r (Tfi + 273) 2 + (Ts + 273) 2 (Tfi + Ts + 546)

Hp/A=As/V= 200m-1 ; hc = 25 W/m2K; r = 0.6;
= 5.67 x 10-8 W/m2K4
= 7850kg/m3;
Cs=600 J/kgK
ISO Fire: Fire Temperature Tfi=345log(8t+1)+20

Ts =

h As
(T fi Ts )t
C s V

Ts =

h As
(T fi Ts )t
C s V

Time
(minutes)

Time
at half
step

Steel
temperature
Ts

ISO fire
temperature
at half step
Tfi

Difference
In
temperature

Change
in steel
temperature

0.0

0.25

20.0

184.6

164.6

6.8

0.5

0.75

26.8

311.6

284.7

13.8

1.0

1.25

40.6

379.3

338.7

18.2

1.5

1.75

58.8

425.8

366.9

21.5

2.0

2.25

80.3

461.2

380.9

24.0

2.5

3.0

Determine the time required to heat the steel to 550oC

HW: Repeat the problem using time step of 1 minute and observe the
difference.

Protected Steelwork
Tfi

Ts

Convective/Radiant Boundary
Fire Protection
Condition
.

Q
Q=hf ( Ti T1) Tf T1 =
hi
.

Ts
Tf

dp

. 1
dp 1
Q + + = Tf Ts
hf k p hs

Q = h s ( T2 Ts )
.

Q
T2 Ts =
hs

T1
Total thermal resistance

Tf

Q = k p

T2

. d
T2 T1
p
T1 T2 = Q
dp
kp

Ts

. 1
d
1
Q + p + = Tf Ts
hf k p hs

Q con =

Heat transfer from the fire through the protection

to the steel

1
(T f Ts )As
1/ h + d p / k p

(1)

Assume Tp = 0.5(Ts+Tfi)
Protection temperature =
average of steel and fire

Heat required to increase temperature of the steel and

protection

.
T
Q req = C s sV s + C p p t p A p 1 Tfi + Ts (2)
t

Equating (1) and (2)

Ts =

fi

Ts )A p / V

(1 / h + t p / k p )C s s 1 + 1
2

Cpp
Cs s

tp

Ap
V

1
2
+ 1

T fi

Tf

tp
Protection

(T

Ts

10

t 30 seconds

Eurocode 3 Part 1.2

Ts =

Cpp

(T

fi

Ts )A p / V

(t p / k p )C s s 1 + 1
3

Cs s

Ts =

tp

t e / 10 1 T fi

Ap
V

Ap=As

Note: Ts 0 if : Tfi >0

(T

fi

Ts )A p / V

(1 / h + t p / k p )C s s 1 + 1
2

1
2
+ 1

T fi

Thermal resistance of fire is small compared to the protection material

One dimensional heat flow through

a thick protection material

Typical heating curve of a protected steel section

11

Ts =

(T

fi

Ts )A p / V

(t p / k p )C s s 1 + 1
3

t e / 10 1 T fi >0

Cpp
Cs s

tp

Ap
V

defines the relative amount of heat stored in the protective

material
It ignores the surface radiation and convection effects, which are
important in unprotected sections, but small in in comparison with
the insulation capacity of the protection materials.
Due to the second term, the steel temperature may decrease at
the early stage of heating. In this case, the increase in steel
temperature should be taken as zero.
t should not exceed 30 sec.

Note that Structural steel temperature

cannot be higher than the fire
temperature!

12

Step by Step Method may be used to

calculate the steel temperature
Time
(t)

Steel
Temp (Ts)

Fire Temp
(Tfi)

Difference
in Tem
(Tfi Ts)

Tf

Change in Steel
Temp Ts from
Equation

t1 = t

Initial steel
temp Tso

Fire temp half

way through
time step (at
t/2)

Tfi Tso

Tf, 0+ t Tf, 0

Calculate Ts
with values of Tfi
Tf and Ts from
this row

t2 = t1
+ t

Ts from
previous
time step +
Ts from
previous
row

Fire temp half

way through
time step
(at t1 + t/2)

Tfi Ts

Tf, t2+ t Tf, t2

Calculate Ts
with values of Tfi
Tf and Ts from
this row

13

Definition of Section
Factor for various
types of fire
protection

Thermal properties of fire

protection materials
=

Cpp
Cs s

tp

Ap
V

p
kp

Cp

14

Concrete slab

Section
Factor
Hp/A

15
10
400
150

Case 1
Hp=2*400+150*3-2*10 = 1230 mm, A=2*15*150+(400-15*2)*10=8200mm2
Hp/A=0.15mm-1 = 150 m-1

r=150
r=160

Case 2

Hp =2 Ro =320 , A= (Ro2 -Ri2 )=2900

Hp /A = 0.1103mm-1 = 110.3 m-1

15

Protected Steel Temperature Rise

Not less than 0
Not higher than in unprotected steel

Example 2: use the step by step method to calculate the steel temperature
of an protected beam exposed to ISO fire. The beam is protected with
50mm of lightweight insulating materials which has thermal conductivity of
kp = 0.2 W/mK, specific heat Cp = 1100 J/kgK and density p 300 kg/m3.
T =

(T

fi

Ts )A p / V

t e / 10 1 T fi

s
Properties of the steel section:
1
t p / k p C s s 1 +
Hp/A=As/V= 200m-1
3

s = 7850kg/m3;
Cs=600 J/kgK
Cpp
Ap
ISO Fire: Fire Temperature Tfi=345log(8t+1)+20
tp
=

Cs s

Time (t)

Steel Temp (Ts)

Fire Temp (Tfi)

Difference in Tem
(Tfi Ts)

Change in Steel Temp

Ts from Equation

t1 = t

Initial steel temp Tso

Fire temp half way

through time step
(at t/2)

Tfi Tso

Calculate Ts with
values of Tfi and Ts
from this row

t2 = t1 + t

Ts from previous time

step + Ts from
previous row

Fire temp half way

through time step
(at t1 + t/2)

Tfi Ts

Calculate Ts with
values of Tfi and Ts
from this row

16

Some Approximate Solutions

Temperatures in Concrete Slab, Tslab

Depth Temperature c [C] after an ISO
fire duration in min. of
x
mm 30' 60' 90' 120' 180' 240'
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
80
100

535
470
415
350
300
250
210
180
160
140
125
110
80
60

705
642
581
525
469
421
374
327
289
250
200
175
140
100

738
681
627
571
519
473
428
387
345
294
271
220
160

754
697
642
591
542
493
454
415
369
342
270
210

h eff
738
689
635
590
549
508
469
430
330
260

740
700
670
645
550
520
495
395
305

Heated lower side

of slab
Values are for normal weight concrete based on
ISO Standard fire.
For lightweight concrete multiply value by 0.9

17

Temperature in Concrete Filled

Square/Circular Columns
t (mm)

Ts = C2T fi

T fi = 345 log(8t + 1) + T0
Tc = C1 Ts
Trebar = Tc
120 FR
1
C2 =1 0.02 t (mm)
120

Tslab refers to the Table in the previous two slides

C1 is given in the next slide
FR = Fire rating in minutes

Multiplication Factor C1 values

*0.5

Diameter or size of
square section in mm

200
300
400
500

Distance of centre of layer from outer surface in mm

10

30

50

70

>70

1.08
1.05
1.03
1.02

1.22
1.14
1.09
1.07

1.41
1.22
1.18
1.12

1.60
1.36
1.25
1.18

1.80
1.50
1.35
1.25

* For square section, an equivalent depth of half the cover depth should be used to
calculate the corner rebar temperature because of heating from both sides

18

Slim Floor Beam

Slim Floor Beam

Upper
flange

tf

Tuf=1.5t +20

t =standard fire exposure

time in minutes

tp
Lower
flange
Plate
Plate Tip

T=C1-C2tf-C3tp

19

Fire
rating
(min)

Location
of steel

Without air gap

C1
C2
C3
(oC)
(oC/mm) (oC/mm)

With an air gap of 4mm

C1
C2
C3
(oC)
(oC/mm)
(oC/mm)

30

plate
plate tip
lw. flange

570
675
550

5.0
2.0
3.0

5.0
7.5
4.4

730
700
450

1.5
1.5
2.0

8.0
7.0
5.8

60

plate
plate tip
lw. flange

850
920
850

3.0
2.0
3.8

3.0
3.5
3.5

850
900
750

1.5
2.0
3.5

2.0
2.0
3.8

90

plate
plate tip
lw. flange

930
980
925

1.0
0.5
1.8

1.0
2.0
1.8

930
970
840

1.0
1.0
2.0

1.0
1.0
1.8

120

plate
plate tip
lw. flange

980
1010
980

0
0
1.4

0
0
1.4

980
1010
920

0
0
1.5

0
0
1.7

Asymmetrical Beams

Use slim floor results, plate thickness =0, no air gap

20

Homework 2
Q1 Calculate the section factor of a steel H-section column of dimension 300 x 300mm.
The column is exposed to fire on all four sides. Make calculations for a) box type
protection b) spray-on protection.
Q2 Use the step-by-step procedure to calculate the steel temperature of an unprotected
beam exposed to ISO fire and hydrocarbon fire. The beam section factor is 250 m-1.
The density of steel is 7850 kg/m3 and the specific heat is in accordance with Eurocode
3. Use a time step of 0.5 minutes. Plot the temperature-time curve of ISO fire and
hydrocarbon and the corresponding steel temperature.
Q3 Use the step-by-step procedure to calculate the steel temperature of a protected beam
exposed to ISO fire. The beam is same as Q 2. The beam is protected with 50mm
lightweight insulating material which has thermal conductivity of 0.2 W/mK, and specific
heat 1100 J/kgK and density 300 kg/m3. Plot the temperature-time curve of ISO fire
and steel temperature.
Q4 Use the step-by-step procedure to calculate the steel temperature of an unprotected
beam exposed to a parametric fire. The beam is same as Q 2. The fire compartment
is made from lightweight concrete with density 2000 kg/m3, thermal conductivity of 0.8
W/mK, and specific heat 840 J/kgK . The room is 5 m square and 3 m high with one
window 2.4m wide and 1.5m high. The fuel load is 900MJ/m2 floor area. Plot the
temperature-time curve of the design fire and steel temperature.

Q5

Repeat Q4 with the beam protected with 25mm and 50mm lightweight insulating
material which has thermal conductivity of 0.2 W/mK, and specific heat 1100 J/kgK
and density 300 kg/m3. Plot the temperature-time curve of the design fire and
steel temperature with different thickness of fire protection.

Q6

Determine the temperature in the reinforcement bars of a rectangular infilled column under 60
minutes ISO fire as shown in the following figure.

RHS 200 x 100 x 10mm

75mm

30mm

Note: Q4 and Q5 require calculation of fire temperature in a

compartment, which will be taught in chapter 3.

21

Additional HW
1a Use the step-by-step procedure to calculate the steel temperature
of an unprotected beam 40614046UB exposed to ISO fire and
hydrocarbon fire. The beam section factor is 250 m-1. The density
of steel is 7850 kg/m3 and the specific heat is in accordance with
Eurocode 3. Use a time step of 0.5 minutes. Plot the temperaturetime curve of ISO fire and hydrocarbon and the corresponding steel
temperature.
1b Use the step-by-step procedure to calculate the steel temperature
of a protected beam exposed to ISO fire. The beam is same as 1b.
The beam is protected with 35mm lightweight insulating material
which has thermal conductivity of 0.15 W/mK, and specific heat
1050 J/kgK and density 300 kg/m3. Plot the temperature-time
curve of ISO fire and steel temperature.
For Q1a and b determine the time required to heat the steel to 550oC
Plot the temperature time curves for the fire, unprotected steel and protected
steel

Reading Assignment:
Chapter 6, Y C Wang Book

22

CE6705 Fire Engineering

Assignment 1: Heat Transfer
(Due Date: 17 March 2007, Monday, Time: 1800)
Q1 Use the step-by-step procedure to calculate the steel temperature of an
unprotected column section 30530597UC exposed to ISO fire and
hydrocarbon fire. The density of steel is 7850 kg/m3 and the specific heat of
steel is in accordance with Eurocode 3. Use a reasonable time step and plot
the temperature-time curve of ISO fire, hydrocarbon fire and the
corresponding steel temperature. Determine the time required to heat the
column to 550oC.
Q2 Use the step-by-step procedure to calculate the steel temperature of a
protected column section exposed to ISO fire and hydrocarbon fire. The
section is same as Q1. The column is protected with 35mm thick normal
weight concrete. Assume a reasonable time step and plot the temperaturetime curve of ISO fire, hydrocarbon fire and steel temperature. Determine the
time required to heat the column to 550oC.
Q3 Discuss the effectiveness of the fire protection materials in Q2. What is the
fire resistant time, if the column temperature is to be limited to 550oC.
State clearly all your assumptions. Professional report submission is
expected. Submit detailed calculations including spreadsheet calculations in
the appendix.

23