Adequacy of Finite Element Analysis in Numerical Simulation and Behaviour Prediction of RC Beam and Post Tensioned Slab in Fire Tests

Sajid Ahmad Mulani (1), Sachin Kadam (2), Athar Jamadar (3)
(1) Department of Applied Mechanics, Walchand College of Engineering, Sangli, Maharashtra, India
(2) Department of Applied Mechanics, Walchand College of Engineering, Sangli, Maharashtra, India
(3) Department of Civil Engineering, Kasegaon Education Society’s Rajarambapu Institute of Technology, affiliated to Shivaji University, Sakharale, MS-415414, India
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Mulani , S. A., Kadam , S., & Jamadar , A. (2025). Adequacy of Finite Element Analysis in Numerical Simulation and Behaviour Prediction of RC Beam and Post Tensioned Slab in Fire Tests. International Journal on Computational Engineering, 2(4), 137–146. https://doi.org/10.62527/comien.2.4.72

Finite Element analysis has evolved into a crucial method for predicting behaviour of civil structures in real world. Because concrete depreciates quickly at high temperatures in terms of its mechanical, chemical, physical, and thermal properties, fire poses a serious hazard to reinforced concrete structures. The duration to which the structure is exposed to fire determines the maximum temperature it will attain. Experimental fire tests are not financially feasible and resource-intensive, and the size of specimen is to be tested is limited by the testing facility's capability. Furthermore, because the structure's many components are subjected to varying temperatures, the behaviour of the specimen is not a true representation of entire structure. Finite Element Analysis has been demonstrated to be beneficial in tackling this since it makes complex structural models and loading conditions easy to apply, thus facilitating the forecasting of their behaviour. This research study evaluates the efficiency of Finite Element analysis in predicting the behaviour of various structural components subjected to fire by comparing them with Experimental results.

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