Article-Fire Engineering Design of Steel Structures

Constructing the Future
Issue 29 2006

The article dicusses how, in recent years, alternative-based fire engineering methods have been developed. This is good for both architects and construction managers as it gives the designer more architectural options while complying with requirements (and for the construction manager so he doesnt have to get cranky with the architect for not thinking about fire specifications!)

As steel loses both strength and stiffness with an incerasing temperature, its inclusion in construction must be carefully assessed to determine whether it ha been placed appropriately.

Recent tests have shown that at a temperature of 550 degrees celcius, a structural steel member will still retian 60% of its room temperature strength, which is higher than first thought.

Protection of the steel member may be gone about through different methods.
In a number of cases, traditional materials such as concrete or brickwork have been used, however, this creates additional costs and can alter the architects design in a negative way, if fire protection has only been an afterthought.

In more recent times, insulation of the steel has been provided by spray or fire board, or a combination of both, and intumescent coatings.
Sprayed steel has proven to be popular where the steel is not visible. Where the steel is unprotected the design methods can be justified if the fire resistance requirement is low.

Overall this article states how there is ongoing methods to improve the strength of steel under high temperatures, and researching construction collapse of such buildings as the world trade centers, and how this could have been avoided with proper steel protection.

Completed Site VIsit_KD Stewart Centre

The KD Steward Centre is the sports centre located at the Waurn Ponds campus of Deakin University. It has tried to move away from the conventional image of a sports centre or gymnasium through its curved roof and (as you'll see) some structural differences inside.

The curved rafters support the roof loads, and are assited by purlins which are embedded into the roof cladding above. Vertical bracing helps resist forces and the rafters tendancy to buckle or sag.

As well as the roof purlins, diagonal steel beam bracing is positioned between the rafters.
Also, as seen in this image and above, brickwork is installed to a height of 2.5 metres to protect the steelwork from any damage (ie. people, basketballs).


The steel haunching has been used two for two different functions in the KD Stewart Centre. It adds needed depth to the rafter to assist the transferal of loads from the roof, down the vertical beams and into the footings. Its secondary function is to contain the large mechanical ducts.

Warehouse/Office Section