Accuracy of Available Methods in Predicting the Fire Resistance of RC Columns

This chapter delves into the accuracy of various methods used to predict the fire resistance of reinforced concrete (RC) columns, a critical aspect of structural fire design. The study evaluates nine different methods, including those proposed by the European Committee for Standardization, Dotreppe et al., Tan and Tang, Kodur and Raut, Cyllok and Achenbach, Guo and Shi, El Fitiany and Youssef, and Glowacki and Kowalski. Each method is assessed based on its accuracy, applicability, and ease of implementation. The study also considers the parameters influencing column performance during fire exposure, such as load ratio, concrete cover, aggregate type, reinforcement ratio, load eccentricity, column dimensions, and reinforcement size. The results highlight that while some methods achieve an acceptable level of reliability, others have significant drawbacks. Notably, Kodur and Raut's method is the most accurate but is limited in its applicability. El Fitiany and Youssef's method and Dotreppe et al.'s method are found to be the most accurate and applicable, providing reliable estimates for the fire resistance of axially loaded columns. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the practical usage of these methods and their potential adaptation for structural fire engineering.