Numerical and experimental analysis of structural masonry elements in fire situation

• Grant number: 20/02102-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2020
• End date: June 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Civil Engineering - Structural Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Marcio Roberto Silva Correa
• Grantee: Marcio Roberto Silva Correa
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Jorge Munaiar Neto ; Vladimir Guilherme Haach

Abstract

The present research project aims to extend the study of the resistant capacity of structures in fire situation by means of numerical and experimental analyzes using the furnace operating at USP, as detailed in Appendix A. Thus, the present proposal is based on numerical and experimental analyzes of simplified models of clay blockwork masonry, subjected to high temperatures, aiming to study the behavior of this construction system exposed to thermal action caused by fire. Initially, national and foreign normative procedures will be analyzed and discussed, as well as the design models considered in each normative document. Experiments with small walls, prisms and blocks, submitted to compression in a fire situation, are predicted for validation, considering future adjustments to the physical and mechanical conditions of the Brazilian structural masonry, and models currently employed by the international technical/scientific community. Besides the experimental analyzes, numerical models will also be developed to simulate the behavior of structural masonry exposed to fire. As a main contribution, it is expected that the obtained results, as a novelty in Brazil, complement a former research project, dealing with concrete blockwork masonry (Fapesp 2017/20255-4). Taken together, these results constitute subsidies for standardization, since there is no standardized procedure for structural masonry design in fire situation in Brazilian codes. Additionally, the gain of experience of the researchers involved in the research is also considered. (AU)