Performance of Structural Wood Members Exposed to Fire

A method which is general in respect to member size, configuration and exposure conditions was developed to predict behavior of structural wood members both during and following fire exposure. The method is based on prediction of temperature distribution within a member by finite element methods combined with a knowledge of the effects of temperature and time on mechanical properties of material composing the member. Tests showed tensile and compressive strength of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) to decrease with increasing temperature, while dynamic modulus of elasticity was unchanged in the temperature and time span examined. Using predicted temperature distribution and employing elementary beam and column theory, the structural model was able to predict strength losses for beams and columns within 8 percent of actual strength losses after various periods of exposure to different standard fires. Stiffness losses of beams exposed to fire were predicted within 5 percent of actual stiffness losses.

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