ABSTRACT
The determination of thermal and structural responses may be decoupled in a similar manner to that adopted in the design of concrete elements. The calculations may be simplied even further for steelwork as the temperature gradient across a member may be neglected. Since there is no transient strain component, it is possible to use empirically modied steady state stress-strain data to allow for the effects of classical creep. As the thermal properties of steel are sensibly independent of the steel strength, it is also possible to utilize empirical equations to determine the temperature rise within an element. The simplications due to thermal gradient and stress behaviour mean that it is possible to consider calculation methods for steelwork over a broader base than concrete.
