Numerical determination of 3D temperature fields in steel joints

A numerical study was undertaken to investigate the temperature field in steel joints and to compare the temperatures in the joints with the temperatures of the adjacent steel members on the hypothesis that the thermal protection is the same on the joint and in the members. Very brief information is given on the numerical model, supplemented with parametric studies made in order to determine the required level of discretization in the time and in the space domain. A simplified assumption for representing the thermal insulation is also discussed and validated. Different numerical analyses are performed, with a variation of the following parameters: (i) type of joints, from very simple to more complex configurations, with welds and/or bolts, all of them representing joints between elements located in the same plane; (ii) unprotected joints or protected by one sprayed material; (iii) ISO, hydrocarbon or one natural fire scenario. The fact that the thermal attack from the fire might be less severe because the joints are usually located in the corner of the compartment is not taken into account. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.