ABSTRACT
Connections are critical members in steel framed structures. Despite extensive researches on steelframed structures in fire in the past, large gaps exist in understanding of connection behaviour in fire. Under fire conditions, the behaviour of a steel structure is complex with forces in different members changing during the entire course of fire exposure. These forces are transmitted from one connected member to another, mainly dependent on the behaviour and performance of the connections, making understanding connection behaviours in fire a key factor in structural fire design. To fill some of the knowledge gaps, a comprehensive research project on robustness of joints in steel-framed structures at high temperatures is under way at the University of Manchester in collaboration with the University of Sheffield, funded by the UK’s EPSRC. The overall objective of this project is to investigate the structural behaviour and robustness of connections in steel-framed structures in fire. As part of this research project, this paper will present results related to temperatures in unprotected connections.
