A structural fire strategy for an exposed weathering steel-framed building

Author: Danny Hopkin, Simeon Anastasov, David Illingworth, Ben McColl, Eoin O'Loughlin and Adam Taylor

Date published

2 January 2018

Price

Standard: £10 + VAT
Members/Subscribers: Free

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A structural fire strategy for an exposed weathering steel-framed building

Tag
Author
Danny Hopkin, Simeon Anastasov, David Illingworth, Ben McColl, Eoin O'Loughlin and Adam Taylor
Date published
2 January 2018
Price

Standard: £10 + VAT
Members/Subscribers: Free

The Structural Engineer
Author

Danny Hopkin, Simeon Anastasov, David Illingworth, Ben McColl, Eoin O'Loughlin and Adam Taylor

Citation

The Structural Engineer, Volume 96, Issue 1, 2018, Page(s) 60-66

Date published

2 January 2018

Author

Danny Hopkin, Simeon Anastasov, David Illingworth, Ben McColl, Eoin O'Loughlin and Adam Taylor

Citation

The Structural Engineer, Volume 96, Issue 1, 2018, Page(s) 60-66

Price

Standard: £10 + VAT
Members/Subscribers: Free

This paper documents the key steps undertaken in realising Four Pancras Square and describes how they were tackled at the interface of the fire and structural engineering disciplines.

Synopsis
Performance-based structural fire design can play an important part in delivering iconic buildings. Early design team engagement with critical issues, including fire safety considerations, allows a holistic solution to be developed, in contrast to post-applied fire engineering which could severely compromise the original design intent.

Four Pancras Square (London) is a successful example of where early fire engineering engagement has helped deliver an iconic design. The building features an external, fully load-bearing, weathering steel frame, with a storey-deep Vierendeel transfer truss. To allow the weathering steel to develop its protective patina and achieve the desired aesthetic, it must be left untreated and exposed; this is in conflict with traditional fire resistance solutions.

This paper documents the key steps undertaken in realising the building and describes how they were tackled at the interface of the fire and structural engineering disciplines. These include quantification of the design goals, selection of the fire constraints, understanding the behaviour of unconventional steel, quantifying thermal exposure for external elements and, finally, quantification of structural response in fire.

Additional information

Format:
PDF
Pages:
60-66
Publisher:
The Institution of Structural Engineers

Tags

Metal - steel Fire Project Focus Issue 1

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