Modelling of bonded post-tensioned concrete slabs in fire

This paper presents a finite element model highlighting the behaviour of bonded post-tensioned one-way spanning concrete slabs in fire conditions. The model was verified against ten fire tests on bonded post-tensioned concrete slabs at ambient and elevated temperatures. The slabs were simply supported and post-tensioned with 15·7 mm nominal diameter seven-wire mono-strand tendons. The mechanical and thermal material non-linearities of the entire slab’s components, consisting of the concrete, plastic and galvanised steel ducts, prestressing tendon and the anchorages, have been carefully inserted into the model. The interface between the tendon and surrounding grout was also considered, allowing the bond behaviour to be modelled and the tendon to retain its profile shape during the deformation of the slab. The temperature distributions throughout the slab, together with the slab’s development of displacement and stress, as it was heated, were predicted by the model and verified against test data. A parametric study was conducted to investigate the effects on the global structural behaviour owing to the change in the aggregate type, duct type, load ratio, boundary conditions and different fire scenarios. The study has shown that the bonded post-tensioned concrete slabs investigated in this study are capable of achieving the designed 90 min fire resistance. It is also shown that the fire resistance given by BS 8110-2 and BS EN 1992-1-2 are acceptable for the design of bonded post-tensioned one-way spanning concrete slabs under fire conditions.