Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

This article deals with the overall structural stability of sandwich panels used as ceilings and fire walls when exposed to fire on one side. Only panels with flat steel faces are considered. Simple mechanisms of instability are described, load actions are quantified, and practical design guidance is given to ensure stability i.e., resistance to overall collapse. The analysis for ceilings assumes that, after delamination of the fire exposed steel face due to softening of the adhesive, the panel faces act as catenaries, and calculations are made of mid-span deflection and the catenary force needed to resist collapse. This method is being considered in the work of European committee CEN TC 127 with regard to the development of rules for extended applications for construction products. The analysis for internal fire walls takes account of wind pressure. The importance of achieving adequate panel-end restraint is demonstrated.

Keywords

structural engineering fire risk assessment sandwich panel collapse fire scenario fire wall ceiling catenary force.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Fire Protection Association (UK) , ``Important Lessons from Sun Valley Fire,'' Fire Prevention , 1995, pp. 5-6.

Fire Protection Association (UK) , ``Fire Risks of Insulated Panels in the Food Industry,'' Fire Prevention, 1995, pp. 25-27.

Cooke, G.M.E. , ``When are Sandwich Panels Safe in Fire? - Part 1 An Overview,'' Fire Engineers Journal, 1998, pp. 37-41.

Cooke, G.M.E. , ``When are Sandwich Panels Safe in Fire? - Part 2 Avoiding Collapse,'' Fire Engineers Journal, 1998, pp. 25-33.

Cooke, G.M.E. , ``When are Sandwich Panels Safe in Fire? - Part 3 Fire Scenarios, Fire Tests and Checklist,'' Fire Engineers Journal, 1999, pp. 18-25.

Cooke, G.M.E. , ``The Behaviour of Sandwich Panels Exposed to Fire,'' Building Engineer, 1997, pp. 14-29.

Code of Practice for Fire Protection in the Food and Drink Industry . The Loss Prevention Council, London, 1999.

Guidelines for the Design, Specification, Construction, Maintenance and Fire Management of Insulated Envelopes for Temperature Controlled Environments . The International Association of Cold Storage Contractors (European Division), 1999.

Lightweight Sandwich Construction. J.M. Davies , ed., Blackwell Science, Oxford, UK, 2001.

10.

Cooke, G.M.E. , Sandwich Panels for External Cladding - Fire Safety Issues and Implications for the Risk Assessment Process. Eurisol, UK, November 2000.

11.

Cooke, G.M.E. , Design fires for Testing Combustible-cored Sandwich Panels, Interflam 2001, International Fire Science and Engineering Conference Held in Edinburgh on 17-19 September 2001, Published Interscience Communications Ltd, London, 2001, pp. 1189-1195.

12.

Cooke, G.M.E. , ``Large Sandwich Panel. Fire Resistance Assessment,'' The Structural Engineer, 2005, pp. 18-21.

13.

Schodek, D.L. , Structures. 4th edn, Upper Saddle River, NJ (Great Britain), Prentice Hall, 2001, pp. 194-196.

14.

Cooke, G.M.E. , The Structural Response of Steel I-Section Members Subjected to Elevated Temperature Gradients Across the Section. PhD thesis, Dept of Civil Engineering, City University, London, September 1987.

Resisting Collapse of Steel-faced Sandwich Panel Walls and Ceilings Exposed to Fire

Abstract

Keywords

Get full access to this article

References