Shear Breaking of Columns Subjected to Localized Fire

Abstract

Resistance to fire of concrete structures is specified with prescriptive rules such as minimal dimensions and concrete cover in Switzerland, in accordance with SIA 262:2003 [1] or Eurocode EN 1992-1 - 2: 2004 [2] standards. Following a fire in an underground car park, a column underwent a shear force breaking, even though it had the dimensions and concrete cover specified in SIA 262:2003 standard [1] for R60 resistance required by the Association of Public Insurance Companies (APIB) [3] in Switzerland for this type of structure. After this unusual breaking, that resembles a "short column failure", research was carried out to understand the causes that have led to this situation and develop a calculation method to check resistance of shear force of columns subject to a localized fire.