- Author
- Bukowski, R. W.
- Title
- Prediction of the Structural Fire Performance of Buildings.
- Coporate
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
- Distribution
- FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Interscience Communications Limited, West Yard House, Guildford Grove, Greenwich London, SE10 8JT, England. Telephone: +44 (0)20 8692 5050, Fax: +44 (0)20 8692 5155, Email: intercomm@dial.pipex.com, Website: http://www.intercomm.dial.pipex.com
- Book or Conf
- Fire and Materials 2003. 8th International Conference. Conference Papers. Proceedings. Organised by Interscience Communications Limited. January 27-28, 2003, San Francisco, CA, 1-8 p., 2003
- Keywords
- structural engineering | fire endurance tests | fire endurance ratings | performanced based codes | regulations | fire endurance | World Trade Center
- Abstract
- The events of 11 September 2001 demonstrated the need for engineering methods to predict the structural fire performance of buildings when subjected to arbitrary design fires and to extreme events. Some capabilities exist but lack specific data such as material properties at elevated temperatures. Existing test methods like ISO 834 and ASTM E119 assess performance under a single, standard exposure that was developed long ago when fuel characteristics were quite different from today. These tests do not provide insight into the interaction of assemblies that were tested independently nor to the sensitivity of the assembly to variations in construction to the design specification that was tested. A project is being organized as a cooperative, global effort through CIB W14:Fire and ISO TC92 Fire Safety with the support of the FORUM for International Cooperation in Fire Research and the NIST Building and Fire Research Laboratory. This wide cooperation is emblematic not only of the interest in the response of buildings to extreme events but also the worldwide interest in performance based building regulation.