Strength Reduction in Fire Damaged Steel Beams
Strength Reduction in Fire Damaged Steel Beams
(OP)
I have steel beams that have undergone a fire. They were wrapped with drywall and the building was not very big so they probably did not get very hot. I have been asked by the insurance adjuster if the beams can be reused.
Question: Is the post-fire strength of steel beams reduced from their pre-fire condition? If so, by how much?
Any help or direction is appreciated
Question: Is the post-fire strength of steel beams reduced from their pre-fire condition? If so, by how much?
Any help or direction is appreciated
RE: Strength Reduction in Fire Damaged Steel Beams
His final conclusion was "it can be simply stated: 'If it is still straight after exposure to fire - the steel is OK.'"
RE: Strength Reduction in Fire Damaged Steel Beams
When we weld, the weld metal is molten. Once it cools it has strength.
I agree with AJH1.
RE: Strength Reduction in Fire Damaged Steel Beams
please forgive my over simplification of terms - remember that American engineers and British engineers are seperated by a common language - we have different terms for the same things.
RE: Strength Reduction in Fire Damaged Steel Beams
Once it is affected with fire under loading conditions, its properties were lost and deformed in to different textures. Better to go for testing with present conditions and decide for reusage. For a physical test and judgement , I fully agree with Mr.Ajh1
RE: Strength Reduction in Fire Damaged Steel Beams
Unless you know specifically the temperature and time the steel was exposed, you really are not sure.
I have seen beams that were "straight" after fire damage that did not comply with the original specification requirements. The beams were supported in a manner that did not divulge deformation to the eye. We cut samples of material in locations chosen by the RDP for that project. I believe his locations were based upon a fire investigators report. Steel in the areas not considered "damaged" (but were still exposed to fire), the material was right were it should have been metallurgically speaking.
Coupons were cut at web or flange of the beams and a few columns. These were sent to a local construction lab for the usual tensile/yield, toughness and hardness. I remember one beam which had 2 coupons removed had one that was satisfactory, the other failed as it had failed the Charpy impact. Both coupons were removed from the center of the web. It was supposed to be our "control" unit as a comparison.
The specific test results were random. Some were satisfactory, some were not. The metallurgical engineer made recommendations to R&R some of these members.
It's cheap insurance.