ABSTRACT
Temperature distribution across the cross-section of a steel member in fire affects its thermal bowing behaviour. The effect of different temperature distribution patterns, including linear and nonlinear ones, on the stress distribution on the cross-section will be presented. It has been found in this study that a linear temperature distribution will result in a stress-free cross-section; whereas for nonlinearly varying temperature distribution, a set of self-equilibrating stresses exists. The existence of these self-equilibrating stresses will affect the basic mechanical characteristics ofthe steel members such as buckling and ductility as well as thermal bowing.
