Steel columns are fundamental load-bearing elements in building structures, and their performance under fire conditions is critical for ensuring overall structural safety. Failures in these key components can lead to catastrophic building collapses. This emphasises the need for an in-depth understanding of their behaviour in fire scenarios. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of experimental and numerical studies that provide a comprehensive foundation for understanding the fire performance of steel columns.
A wide range of experimental investigations is reviewed, focusing on the structural response of steel columns under fire exposure. Key aspects such as the behaviour of restrained columns, the impacts of load ratio and slenderness on critical temperatures are examined. Additionally, numerical methodologies are systematically outlined, with a step-by-step explanation of finite element modelling (FEM) development, covering element type selection, boundary conditions and fire loading simulations. Two case studies are presented to validate the numerical models against experimental results, reinforcing the reliability of the FEM approach in predicting real-world behaviour.
The review consolidates findings from experimental and numerical studies and discusses the critical parameters influencing the fire performance of steel columns. Additionally, this review highlights potential research gaps, including the need for further studies on the behaviour of steel columns under travelling fires and the influence of real fire scenarios with varying heating and cooling phases.
This review establishes a comprehensive foundation for understanding the fire performance of steel columns. Furthermore, by identifying key research gaps, it outlines directions for future studies aimed at improving the understanding and predictive accuracy of steel structures exposed to fire.
