Fire Performance of CFRP Strengthened Steel I Beams Cured at Elevated Temperature

Abstract

Elevated temperature curing increases the glass transition temperature of the polymeric bond between CFRP and steel. Fire performance of an elevated temperature cured and ambient temperature cured CFRP strengthened steel I beam was evaluated using a numerical model. The effects of a range of thicknesses and conductivities of insulation layers were also analyzed. Model results are in good agreement with the theoretical results. Insulation is a compulsory requirement for CFRP strengthened steel I sections. On average, a 35% increase in fire performance was noted at elevated temperature cured CFRP strengthened I beams compared to the ambient cured I beam.