Numerical Analysis of a Moderate Fire inside a Segment of a Subway Station

Abstract

A 1:4 scaled fire test of a segment of a subway station is analyzed by means of three-dimensional Finite Element simulations. The first 30 min of the test are considered to be representative of a moderate fire. Numerical sensitivity analyses are performed. As regards the thermal boundary conditions, a spatially uniform surface temperature history and three different piecewise uniform surface temperature histories are used. As regards the material behavior of concrete, a temperature-independent linear-elastic model and a temperature-dependent elasto-plastic model are used. Heat transfer within the reinforced concrete structure is simulated first. The computed temperature evolutions serve as input for thermomechanical simulations of the fire test. Numerical results are compared with experimental measurements. It is concluded that three sources of uncertainties render the numerical simulation of fire tests challenging: possible damage of the structure prior to testing, the actual distribution of the surface temperature during the test and the time-dependent high-temperature behavior of concrete. In addition, the simulations underline that even a moderate fire represents a severe load case, threatening the integrity of the reinforced concrete structure. Tensile cracking is likely to happen at the inaccessible outer surface of the underground structure. Thus, careful inspection is recommended even after non-catastrophic fires.