BRE BR468 PDF

The background to methods for establishing the fire resistance of concrete structures specified in BS8110, the British Standard code of practice for structural concrete has been investigated. In particular, research and test results dating back some 60 years, which have underpinned the tabulated data in all the codes of practice since 1948, have been examined and revisited. This publication brings together information derived from testing and research carried out over a number of years. There was a danger that the work supporting the development of codes and standards could have been lost. Hence a study was carried out to collate and assess all relevant information to ensure that the important lessons from the past are recorded and used to help define the strategy for the next generation of codes and standards. The investigations underpinning this publication found that the experimental results used as data for developing the tabulated approach in BS 8110 fully supported the provisions of the code in relation to assumed periods of fire resistance. Furthermore in many cases these provisions were found to be conservative as they were based on the assumption that structural elements were fully stressed at the fire limit state and take into account the spalling characteristics of concrete. Evidence from performance in real fires over a number of years demonstrates that the tabular approach to determining fire resistance of concrete elements has been effective. It is suggested that further research could result in greater economies in construction and cost for concrete structures.