Thermal Response Modeling of Beam Experiments

In this chapter, the post-fire behavior of FRP composites was evaluated and modeled on the stmctural level. Results from the models compared well with results from fuU-scale post-fire experiments on cellular GFRP beam and column specimens that had been subjected to mechanical and thermal loading up to 120 min with inclusion of different thermal boundary conditions. On the basis of the previously proposed thermal and mechanical response models, existing approaches for post-fire evaluation can be applied. Predicted temperature profiles and the conversion degrees of decomposition can be used to estimate the post-fire stiHhess from existing two- and three-layer models. The borders between different layers can be determined either by a temperature criterion or a RRC criterion. 

An internal liquid cooling system as an active fire protection was implemented in full-scale GFRP panels for beam and column applications, the resulting thermal responses have been introduced and modeled in Chapter 6 and the mechanical responses in Chapter 7. The fire endurance time of each scenario is summarized in Table 9.1 and more details can be found in the previous chapters. It can be concluded that combined mechanical loading and fire experiments on full-scale water-cooled cellular slabs and columns proved the feasibility of an effective fire protection. Fire endurance durations of up to 2 h could be reached at slow water... 

---