ENGINEERS IRELAND EVENING LECTURE

WEDNESDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2009

STRUCTURAL EUROCODES
AND FIRE
AN INTRODUCTION
MAURICE JOHNSON BE CENG MIEI MISTRUCTE MSFPE

 JOSEPH MC CULLOUGH & PARTNERS (6 YEARS)  MISTRUCTE CENG

 6 YEARS IN DUBLIN FIRE BRIGADE FIRE PREVENTION SECTION
 20 YEARS FIRE CONSULTANCY AND DIRECTOR OF MSA
 12 MONTHS IN-HOUSE FIRE CONSULTANT WITH LIAM CARROLL GROUP
 ESTABLISHED MAURICE JOHNSON & PARTNERS IN APRIL 2009

Alpha Fire Safety Fortune Mc Shane Fire Safety

Maurice Johnson
Consultants Consultants
 CONTENTS OF PRESENTATION
 Brief History of the Structural Eurocodes

 Key Aspects of the Eurocode System

 Current Status of Eurocodes in Ireland

 Overview of individual fire parts of the Eurocodes

 IS EN 1990 : 2002 - Fire Limit State

 IS EN 1991-1-2: 2002 Actions on Structures Exposed to Fire
 IS EN 1992-1-2:2004 Concrete – Fire
 IS EN 1993-1-2:2005 Steel – Fire
 IS EN 1994-1-2:2004 Composite Steel and Concrete - Fire
 IS EN 1995-1-2:2005 Timber - Fire
 IS EN 1996-1-2:2005 Masonry - Fire
 IS EN 1999-1-2:2007 Aluminium - Fire
 BRIEF HISTORY OF EUROCODES
 Treaty of Rome 1976 – Removal of artificial barriers to trade
 European Commission 1980 – requirement for harmonized design
standards – started the Eurocode drafting process
 1989 EC transferred responsibility to CEN [Comite Europeen de
Normalisation]
 CEN Committee TC250 and subcommittees wrote the standards
 ENV+NAD  IS EN + National Annexes
 Period of co-existence with national standards
 58 Eurocodes in total published between 2002 and 2007
 CEN remain responsible for revisions
 30 YEAR PROCESS
 KEY ASPECTS OF EUROCODE SYSTEM (OBJECTIVES)
 Provide common design criteria and methods of meeting necessary
requirements for mechanical resistance, stability and resistance to fire, including
aspects of durability and economy;
 Provide a common understanding regarding the design of structures between
owners, operators and users, designers, contractors and manufacturers of
construction products;
 Facilitate the marketing and use of structural components and kits in EU
Member States;
 Facilitate the marketing and use of materials and constituent products, the
properties of which enter into design calculations;
 Be a common basis for research and development, in the construction industry;
 Allow the preparation of common design aids and software;
 Increase the competitiveness of the European civil engineering firms,
contractors, designers and product manufacturers in their global activities
KEY ASPECTS OF EUROCODE SYSTEM
 KEY ASPECTS OF EUROCODE SYSTEM
 Support National Regulations (are subservient to)
 National Regulations set Nationally Determined
Parameters (NDP)
 Principals (P) and Application Rules
 Normative Annexes
 Informative Annexes
 National Annex specifies NDPs and indicates which
Informative Annexes may be used
 Non-contradictory complementary information (NCCIs)
 Contradictory National Codes to be withdrawn by
March 2010
 CURRENT STATUS OF EUROCODES IN IRELAND
Eurocode Part Title National Annex
Publication Status
IS EN 1990:2002 Basis of structural design Published March 2005
IS EN 1991-1-1:2002 Actions on structures. General actions. Densities, self- Published March 2005
weight, imposed loads for buildings
IS EN 1991-1-2:2002 Actions on structures. General actions. Actions on Published Feb 2007
structures exposed to fire
IS EN 1992-1-2:2004 Design of concrete structures. Structural Fire design NA to be published shortly

IS EN 1993-1-2:2005 Design of steel structures. General rules. Structural fire NA for public consultation
design shortly
IS EN 1994-1-2:2005 Design of composite steel and concrete structures. NA review ongoing
General rules. Structural fire design
IS EN 1995-1-2:2004 Design of timber structures. General. Structural fire NA review ongoing

IS EN 1996-1-2:2005 Design of masonry structures. General rules. Structural NA out for public
fire design consultation 06.10.09
IS EN 1999-1-2:2007 Design of aluminium structures s. General rules. NA review ongoing
Structural fire design
 CURRENT STATUS OF EUROCODES IN IRELAND
EXTRACT FROM EU COMISSION WEBSITE
“Under the Public Procurement Directive, it is mandatory that Member States accept
designs to the EN Eurocodes. The EN Eurocodes will become the standard technical
specification for all public works contracts. If proposing an alternative design one must
demonstrate that is technically equivalent to an EN Eurocode solution.
A contracting authority shall formulate technical specifications in one of the following
ways:
1. by reference to technical specifications and to national standards transposing (in
order of preference) ENs, ETAs, common technical specifications, international
standards, technical reference systems established by ESOs or, when these do not
exist, to national standards, technical approvals or technical specifications, or
equivalent;
2. in terms of performance or functional requirements;
3. in terms of performance or functional requirements with reference to the
specifications in (1) as a means of presuming conformity with such requirements;
4. in terms of technical specifications for certain characteristics and in terms of
performance of functional requirements for other characteristics.
As the National Standardisation Bodies are not expected to maintain the withdrawn
National standards in practice, there will be little option but to use the EN Eurocodes. It
is extremely likely that pressures from international clients and contractors, as well as
other stakeholders like the insurance industry, will lead to their more rapid application
for private construction”
IS EN 1990:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2005)
 IS EN 1990:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2005) CONTD
 IS EN 1990 used (together with IS EN 1991) with all
other IS EN codes
 Sets out the principles for safety, serviceability and
durability
 Provides the safety factors for actions and
combination action effects (γ partial factors, ψ
combination factors)
 Sets durability criteria
 Limit state code: FIRE is an Ultimate Limit state
 Material independent code (differs from BS codes)
IS EN 1990:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2005) CONTD
IS EN 1990:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2005) CONTD

 Ed ≤ Rd

 Fire = “Accidental Design Situation” , so

 Efi,d = Gd + ψ 1 Qk,1 + ψ 2 Qk,2

Therefore γG and γF taken as unity (for cold design γG =

1.35 and γF = 1.5) reflecting the low probability of fire and full
load and also reflecting the acceptance of greater levels of
damage in fire conditions

ψ 1, and ψ 2 are combination factors

IS EN 1990:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2005) CONTD
 IS EN 1990:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2005) CONTD

 EXAMPLES (Fire Limit State Loading)

 OFFICE BUILDING
 Efi,d = Gd + 0.5 QL where QL = live load and wind is not the
dominant load

 Efi,d = Gd + 0.2 QW + 0.3 QL where QW = wind load and is the

dominant load (braced frame)
 Note : in BS5950 wind is ignored for buildings less than 8m high
 IS EN 1990:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2005) CONTD

 EXAMPLES (Fire Limit State Loading)

 SHOP
 Efi,d = Gd + 0.7 QL where QL = live load and wind is not the
dominant load

 Efi,d = Gd + 0.2 QW + 0.6 QL where QW = wind load and is the

dominant load (braced frame)
 Note : in BS5950 wind is ignored for buildings less than 8m high
 IS EN 1990:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2005) CONTD

 Fire Limit State – Simplified Analysis

 Reduction Factor ηfi = (Gk +ψ1Qk)/(γGGk+γQQk)

 Ed,fi = ηfi . Ed

 Qk/Gk = 2 , γG = 1.35, γQ = 1.5 , ψ1 = 0.5

ηfi = 0.46
IS EN 1990:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2005) CONTD
IS EN 1991-1-2:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2002)
IS EN 1991-1-2:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2002) CONTD
IS EN 1991-1-2:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2002) CONTD

STRUCTURAL FIRE DESIGN PROCEDURE

EC1 CONCERNED MAINLY WITH STEPS 1 AND 2

Step 1 Design Fire Scenario

• Compartment Fire
• Localised fire
Step 2 Design Fire
• Nominal Fire Curves
• Natural Fire Models
Step 3 Temperature Analysis
• Radiative and Convective transfer
• Location/orientation of member
Step 4 Mechanical Analysis
• Time Domain tfi,d ≥ tfi,requ
• Strength Domain Rfi,d,t ≥ Efi,d,t
• Temperature Domain Θd ≤ Θ cr,d
 IS EN 1991-1-2:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2002) CONTD
1200 NOMINAL TIME-TEMP CURVES

1000

800

600 Standard Fire

External Fire
400 Hydrocarbon Fire

200

0
60

80
90
10

50

120
20

40
30
0

70

100
110
IS EN 1991-1-2:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2002) CONTD
NOMINAL FIRE CURVES – STANDARD FIRE
 Option 1 = TGDB Table A2

 Option 2 = Equivalent time of fire exposure

per NA.5.3 Annex F (NA.2.1.clause)

 Option 3 = Table 26/27 of BS9999 (also a

time-equivalent based approach)
 IS EN 1991-1-2:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2002) CONTD
NOMINAL FIRE CURVES – EQUIVALENT TIME OF FIRE EXPOSURE NA.5.3

 Only applicable where design of members is based on tabulated

data or simplified rules (i.e. not applicable in combination with
complex structural response modelling)
 Not applicable to timber or composite steel/concrete

 te,d = β . qf,d . Kb . wf
Where qf,d = design fire load density per NA.5.2
Kb = conversion factor for thermal properties of boundaries
wf = ventilation factor
= (6.0/H)0.3[0.62 +90(0.4-αv)4/1+bv.αh)] ≥ 0.5 or
= O0.5 . Af/At for small compartments of less than 100sqm
Β = Multipication factor per Table NA.8 taking account of height of building
and usage
 NA recommends sensitivity analysis vs amount of ventilation
 IS EN 1991-1-2:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2002) CONTD
NOMINAL FIRE CURVES – EQUIVALENT TIME OF FIRE EXPOSURE NA.5.3

qf,d = design fire load density per NA.5.2

= qf,k . m . γ1

where m = 1
γ1 = 1 if unsprinklered and 0.61 if sprinklered
qf,k = characteristic fire load density
= (fire load from the building fabric) + (80 percentile
occupancy fire load per Table NA.2) OR
Fire load survey
 IS EN 1991-1-2:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2002) CONTD
NOMINAL FIRE CURVES – EQUIVALENT TIME OF FIRE EXPOSURE NA.5.3
 IS EN 1991-1-2:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2002) CONTD
NOMINAL FIRE CURVES – EQUIVALENT TIME OF FIRE EXPOSURE NA.5.3

EXAMPLE
 IS EN 1991-1-2:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2002) CONTD
NOMINAL FIRE CURVES – EQUIVALENT TIME OF FIRE EXPOSURE BS9999

Table 26/27 - Well ventilated

compartment

Greater flexibility ,
Reduced ratings in some circumstances,
increased in other circumstances
Based on a combination of Deterministic
Analysis (time equivalent based on BSEN
parametric fires) and Probabilistic
Risk/Consequence Analysis (Risk =
Фfrequency x Likelihood x Consequence)
Height bands are related to fire-fighting
height thresholds: i.e. ladder, high reach, dry
riser, wet riser
Applicable only to above ground storeys

SPRINKLERED
IS EN 1991-1-2:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2002) CONTD
NATURAL FIRE MODELS

1. Parametric time – temperature

curves per Annex A
2. External members – per Annex B
3. Localised fire sources – per National
Annex
4. Advanced fire modelling
 IS EN 1991-1-2:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2002) CONTD
NATURAL FIRE MODELS

1. Parametric T-t Curves (Annex A + NA.4)

 Boundary properties, ventilation conditions, fire load density and

fire growth rate all taken into account
 Easily set up on spreadsheet
 No allowance for height/risk!!! i.e. no β - factor
 IS EN 1991-1-2:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2002) CONTD
NATURAL FIRE MODELS

 Parametric T-t Curves (Annex A + NA.4)

Parametric Time Temperature Curve Parametric Time Temperature Cur
1400 1400

1200 1200
Parametric
Time Curve
1000 1000
Time
Temperatur
800

Temperature
800 e Curve
Temperature

Steel temp
to BS curve 600
600

400
400

200
200

0
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 Time (mins)
Time (mins)
IS EN 1991-1-2:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2002) CONTD
NATURAL FIRE MODELS

2.External Members (e.g. balcony walkway supports)

Calculates flame shapes and temperatures, maximum compartment

temperature, radiation and convection parameters
Use configuration factors to calculate radiative heat transfer
IS EN 1991-1-2:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2002) CONTD
NATURAL FIRE MODELS

3. Localised Fires
• NA.5.1 requires use of PD7974-1:2003
• Fire sources :
• Axy-symmetric
• Line
• Corner
• Calculates flame size, emissivity and radiation
• Applicable where there is specific packages of fuel
IS EN 1991-1-2:2002 AND NATIONAL ANNEX (2002) CONTD
NATURAL FIRE MODELS

4. Advanced Fire Models

• One Zone –post flashover
• Two Zone e.g. CFAST
• CFD Model e.g. FDS
• Statement of principles – little in the way of
calculations
 Eurocodes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9

Material specific codes

Tabulated data
Heat transfer analysis
Mechanical analysis at elevated
temperature
CONCRETE : Eurocode 2 Part 1-2
 CONCRETE : Eurocode 2 Part 1-2
 Separating elements which are not load-bearing: Integrity
(Criterion E) and Insulation (Criterion I) EI
 Load-bearing and not separating : Mechanical Resistance
(Criterion R) R
 Nominal – for specified duration
 Parametric – for entire duration including cooling phase
 Load-bearing and separating : Criteria R, E and I - REI
 Example : Wall REI60, Column R60
 Letters “ef” and “HC” added if the performance is in
respect of the external fire curve or the hydrocarbon curve
e.g. REI-ef, REI-HC
CONCRETE : Eurocode 2 Part 1-2
 Method 1 – tabulated data –(most likely to be used
except where there are specific issues)
 Applies to standard fire curves only
 Subject to National Annex
 Based on Normal Wt Concrete and silicious aggregates
 Method 2 – Simple calculation methods per Annexes
B to E (informative) – Section 4.2 of code
 Method 3 – Advanced calculation methods- Section
4.3 of code (limited real design information in the
code)
 Method 4 – Fire tests
CONCRETE : Eurocode 2 Part 1-2
Method 1 – tabulated data
Columns to Eurocode
μfi = ratio of design axial load at fire limit state Columns to BS8110
with design resistance at normal temperature
CONCRETE : Eurocode 2 Part 1-2
Method 1 – tabulated data (continued)

Beams to Eurocode Beams to BS8110

CONCRETE : Eurocode 2 Part 1-2
Method 1 – tabulated data (continued)

Slabs to Eurocode Slabs to BS8110

CONCRETE : Eurocode 2 Part 1-2
Method 1 – tabulated data (continued)

Load-bearing walls to Eurocode Load-bearing walls to BS8110

CONCRETE : Eurocode 2 Part 1-2
Method 2 – simplified calculation methods
 Temperature profiles in Annex A
 500° isotherm method as per Annex B1
 Zone Method as per Annex B2
 Annex E sets out a simplified method for slabs and beams
which allows in the case of continuous slabs significant
redistibution of moments towards the supports where the
rebars are in the top of the beam/slab and obviously
significantly cooler
 Gamma factor for concrete γM = 1.0 in EC2 and 1.3 in
BS8110
 For rebar gamma factor = 1.0 in both codes
STEEL : Eurocode 3 Part 1-2
Capacity at fire limit state
 STEEL : Eurocode 3 Part 1-2
 γM,fi = 1.0 in EC3 (same as BS5950) – same as γM,0
 Simplified Calculation Methods
• Calculate “Critical Temperature” based on Utilisation Factor
μ0 = Efi,d/Rfi,d,0 or conservatively = ηfi[γM,fi/γM0] ,
(applicable to restrained beams or tension members only)
NA may quote default μ0 e.g. μ0 = 0.65 > θa.cr = OR
 Calculate load bearing resistance at elevated temperature Vs
design load at fire limit state
 Advanced Calculation Methods (very little detail)
 External Steelwork (as per Law and O Brien)
STEEL : Eurocode 3 Part 1-2
Critical temperature method
STEEL : Eurocode 3 Part 1-2
Critical temperature vs EN13381-4 Test Standard
STEEL : Eurocode 3 Part 1-2
Simple

Advanced e.g. TASEF

COMPOSITE : Eurocode 4 Part 1-2

Scope
COMPOSITE : Eurocode 4 Part 1-2
Eurocode BS5950
COMPOSITE : Eurocode 4 Part 1-2
COMPOSITE : Eurocode 4 Part 1-2

DESIGN OPTIONS
 Simple calculation models
 Advanced calculation Models
 Tabular Data for specific
cases/structural forms
COMPOSITE : Eurocode 4 Part 1-2
SIMPLE CALCULATION MODELS
 Annex D gives methodology for calculating the moment
of resistance (sagging and hogging) of the composite
slab when subject to the standard time-temp curve and
insulation thickness – similar to SCI P186
 Composite beams without concrete encasement
 Method 1 – Critical Temperature Method (simply
supported beams, depth less than 500mm slab, at least
120 thick)
 Method 2 – Bending Moment of Resistance Method
 Partly encased beams and columns
Tabular Data for specific cases
COMPOSITE : Eurocode 4 Part 1-2
ADVANCED CALCULATION MODELS e.g. Vulcan
 TIMBER : Eurocode 5 Part 1-2
 Replaces BS5268 Parts 2, 3, 4,5
 Method 1 - Residual Section, or
 Method 2 – Reduced Properties
 Method 1 is recommended in code
 More complex than BS5268
 Annex E of Code also covers separating elements –
attributes minutes insulation to various elements of the
barrier (somewhat similar to BS5268 Part 4.2)
 Code deals in detail with joints
 Code has charring rates for partly protected timber
elements
TIMBER : Eurocode 5 Part 1-2
TIMBER : Eurocode 5 Part 1-2
Eurocode BS5268.4.1
 MASONRY : Eurocode 6 Part 1-2
 Method 1 – Tabulated Data
 Method 2 - Test Data
 Method 3 - Analysis
 Simplified analysis based on residual
section (similar to timber analysis)

 Advanced calculation based on

material properties at elevated
temperatures
 MASONRY : Eurocode 6 Part 1-2
 Draft NA for Public Comment issued on 06 October
2009 until 01 December 2009
 Disallows design by calculation
 Includes tabulated data for various wall types e.g.
Eurocode NA IS325
ALUMINIUM : Eurocode 9 Part 1-2
Very similar in content and presentation to the steel code
 CONCLUDING COMMENTS
Thank you kindly for your attention and I hope
you have gained some insight into the
Eurocodes for Fire from my talk .
I also thank Engineers Ireland for inviting me to
make this presentation today