Enhancing Resilience of Urban Structures to Withstand Fire Hazard

Abstract

A new class of materials referred to as high performance materials are being increasingly used in urban infrastructure projects.Many of these materials have poor or unknown fire characteristics and addressing the fire safety of these materials and theirintegration into structural systems are critical for ensuring the safety of the built infrastructure. In the paper, the differentconditions and complexities associated with characterizing fire hazards in built-infrastructure is explained. The factorsthat have significant influence on fire performance of structural systems in built infrastructure are discussed. The fireresistance problems, and research needs, for emerging high performing materials are outlined. Design strategies for integratingfire safety design with structural design, through a performance based methodology is outlined. Construction guidelines forenhancing the fire performance of structures constructed with high performing materials are presented through case studies.