Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 1

Fire resistance assessment of timber structures

Basic design methods

Worked examples

FRANGI Andrea

Member of CEN/TC250/SC5 and HGF

ETH Zurich
Institute of Structural Engineering
 Växjö, 8 storeys
London, 9 storeys (UK)
(Sweden)
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 2

Bolzano, 7 storeys (Italy)

Berlin, 7 storeys
(Germany)
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 3

What is Eurocode 5?
Eurocode 5 (EN 1995) provides rules for the
design of timber structures.

EN 1995-1-2 is the Fire Part of Eurocode 5

The two other parts of Eurocode 5 are:
EN 1995-1-1 Common rules and rules for buildings
EN 1995-2 Bridges
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 4

Scope of EN 1995-1-2
EN 1995-1-2 deals with passive methods
of fire protection

EN 1995-1-2 gives design rules

for the verification of the
• load-bearing function
• separation function
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 5

Passive methods of fire protection

Main objective: limitation of the spread of fire by guaranteeing

 the load-carrying capacity of the structure

(Requirement on Mechanical Resistance R)

 the separating function of walls and floors

(Requirement on Insulation I and Integrity E)

Load-bearing R Integrity E Insulation I

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 6

Basic fire requirements

Fire
Columns / beams Walls Floors
exposure
Load-bearing On all sides
elements without
separating
function

Non-load-bearing On only one

elements with side
separating
function

Load-bearing On only one

elements with side
separating
function
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 7

Timber behaviour in fire

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 8

Timber behaviour in fire

 Pyrolysis: thermal degradation of wood producing combustible
gases and accompanied by a loss in mass (starting from
about 250°C)

 Charring rate β:
Ratio between charring depth Fire time Residual
cross-section
t = 63min
dchar and fire time t (in mm/min)

d char
β=
t
Char layer
d char 50mm
β= = = 0.8 mm min
t 63 min
Material behaviour in fire
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 9

Charring rate
 depends on fire exposure
Charring depth (mm)
 constant value for
ISO-fire exposure Mean value fire tests

 depends on wood
species
 spruce: β ≈ 0.7 mm/Min.

 small influence of
moisture content and
Fire time (min)
density of wood

Grundlagen “Holz-Brand”
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 10

Timber behaviour in fire

 Char layer protects the residual cross-
section from high temperatures

Temperature (°C)

Residual cross-
section
- “cold“
- load-bearing

Source: proHolz, Austria

Depth x (mm)

Material behaviour in fire

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 11

Intumescent coating systems on steel members

 Mode of action: intumescent systems expand at a temperature of
about 200°C by a factor of 30 to 60 and form a compact insulating
layer.
900
800
700

(°C)
Temperatur [°C]
600

Temperature
500
400
300
200

100
0
0 10 20 30 40 50

Time (min)
Zeit [min]

Material behaviour in fire

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 12

Intumescent coating systems on steel members

 Mode of action: intumescent systems expand at a temperature of
about 200°C by a factor of 30 to 60 and form a compact insulating
layer.
900
800
700

(°C)
Temperatur [°C]
600

Temperature
500
400
300
200

100
0
0 10 20 30 40 50

Time (min)
Zeit [min]

Material behaviour in fire

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 13

Intumescent coating systems on steel members

 Mode of action: intumescent systems expand at a temperature of
about 200°C by a factor of 30 to 60 and form a compact insulating
layer.
900
800
700

(°C)
Temperatur [°C]
600

Temperature
500
400
300
200

100
0
0 10 20 30 40 50

Time (min)
Zeit [min]

Material behaviour in fire

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 14

Intumescent coating
systems
“Modern manmade
intumescent materials
applied to steel structural
elements are in essence an
attempt to replicate what
timber does naturally.”
From paper “Overview of design issues for tall
timber buildings”, I. Smith, A. Frangi,
Structural Engineering International SEI 2/2008

Material behaviour in fire

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 15

Fire resistance of
timber elements
Basic strategies

 Use of massive
cross-sections
 Increase of cross-
sections by charring
depth
 Protection of the timber
elements with non
combustible materials

Material behaviour in fire

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 16

Charring

dchar,0
timber slab

One-dimensional charring: charring rate β0

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 17

Charring
dchar,n
dchar,0
dchar,0

glued laminated beam

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 18

Charring dchar,n
dchar,0
dchar,0

glued laminated beam

Notional charring: notional charring rate βn
Equivalent residual cross-section
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 19

Charring rates according to EN 1995-1-2

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 20

Charring model for unprotected surfaces

40

Charring
30
depth
d char,0
20
or 1
d char,n
[mm] 10

Time t
 Influence of fall off of cladding
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 21

Fall off of cladding

Timber slab after 17 minutes ISO-fire exposure

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 22

Fire behaviour of initially protected surfaces

 Charring rate not

constant
Unprotected  Increased charring rate
timber surfaces
after failure of cladding

Timber element

Cladding

Protected timber surfaces

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 23

Fire behaviour of initially protected surfaces

Increased charring rate

after failure of cladding
 the temperature in the furnace is
already at a high level when the
claddings fall off
 no protective char layer exists
when the claddings fall off
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 24

Charring model for initially protected surfaces

Different charring phases

• tch = time of start of charring
• tf = failure time of cladding (fall off)

• For wood-based panels and gypsum

plasterboards type A or H: tch = tf

• For gypsum plasterboards type F: tch < tf

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 25

Charring model for initially protected surfaces

For wood-based panels and gypsum plasterboards type A or H: tch = tf

40

Charring
30
depth
d char,0
20
or 1
d char,n
[mm] 10
2a
0
tch =t tff
Time t
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 26

Charring model for initially protected surfaces

For wood-based panels and gypsum plasterboards type A or H: tch = tf

40

Charring
30
depth
d char,0
20
or 1
β ( phase 2a ) = 2 ⋅ β
d char,n
[mm] 10
2a
0
tch =t tff
Time t
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 27

Charring model for initially protected surfaces

For wood-based panels and gypsum plasterboards type A or H: tch = tf

40
β ( phase 2b) = β
Charring
30
depth 2b
d char,0
20 25 mm
or 1
d char,n β ( phase 2a ) = 2 ⋅ β
[mm] 10
2a
0
tch t=f tf ta
Time t
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 28

Charring model for initially protected surfaces

For gypsum plasterboards type F: tch < tf
40

Charring 30 1
depth
d char,0
20
or
d char,n
[mm] 10 2a
β ( phase 2a ) < β
0
t ch
Time t
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 29

Charring model for initially protected surfaces

For gypsum plasterboards type F: tch < tf

40

Charring 30 1
depth
d char,0
20
or
d char,n
2b β ( phase 2b) = 2 ⋅ β
[mm] 10 2a
β ( phase 2a ) < β
0
t ch tf
Time t
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 30

Charring model for initially protected surfaces

For gypsum plasterboards type F: tch < tf
β ( phase 2c ) = β
40

Charring 30 1
depth 2c
d char,0
20 25 mm
or
2b
d char,n β ( phase 2b) = 2 ⋅ β
[mm] 10 2a
β ( phase 2a ) < β
0
t ch tf ta
Time t
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 31

Fire behaviour of initially protected surfaces

Charring depth (mm)

Fire time (min)

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 32

Time of start of charring

• For wood-based panels

• For gypsum plasterboards type A, H or F

(one layer)

tch = 2.8 ⋅ 12.5 − 14 = 21 min

Where hp is the thickness of the panel, in mm

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 33

Failure modes of protective boards

• Thermal degradation (mechanical failure)
of the boards
• Pull-out failure of fasteners due to
excessive charring of timber member

≥ la,min
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 34

Failure modes of protective boards

• Wood-based panels: tch = tf

• Gypsum plasterboards type A or H: tch = tf

• Gypsum plasterboards type F

• No generic failure times given in EN 1995-1-2
• To be determined by testing (prEN 13381-7)
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 35

Design of timber structures in fire

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 36

Verification methods for the load-bearing

function
Analysis of
• entire structure (global analysis)
• sub-assemblies (e.g. frames)
• members (e.g. walls, floors, columns, beams)

Ed,fi ≤ R d,fi
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 37

Verification methods for the load-bearing

function
Ed,fi ≤ R d,fi
• Combinations of actions for accidental design
situations (EN 1990)

• As simplification for residential, social,

commercial and administration areas:
Ed,fi = 0.6.Ed
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 38

Design strength in fire

f 20
f d,fi = k mod,fi
γ M,fi
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 39

Design strength in fire

20 %
f 20 fractile
f d,fi = k mod,fi
γ M,fi of ”cold”
strength
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 40

Design strength in fire

20 %
f 20 fractile
f d,fi = k mod,fi
γ M,fi of ”cold”
strength

f 20 = k fi f k
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 41

Design strength in fire

f 20 = k fi f k
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 42

Design strength in fire

20 %
f 20 fractile
f d,fi = k mod,fi
γ M,fi of
strength
modification factor
(elevated temperature
and moisture)
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 43

Design strength in fire

20 %
f 20 fractile
f d,fi = k mod,fi
γ M,fi of
strength
modification factor
(elevated temperature partial factor = 1,0
and moisture)
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 44

Design of timber structures in fire

Reduced cross-section method

char layer

zero strength layer

effective cross-section

k mod,fi = 1

Material behaviour in fire

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 45

Design of timber structures in fire

Reduced cross-section method

dchar,n def = dchar,n + k0 ⋅ d0

k0.d0 d0 = 7 mm

def kmod,fi = 1.0

fd,fi = f20 = k fi ⋅ fk

Material behaviour in fire

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 46

Worked example

8x1m=8m

Section A-A
4m Finishing 6mm
A ----A

Topping 60mm
Insulation 40mm
Boards 50mm
4m
Secondary beam
C24, 120x260mm

Material properties Main beam

Solid timber C24 Glued laminated timber GL24h GL24, 160x735mm
fm,k = 24 N/mm2 fm,k = 24 N/mm2
fc,0,k = 21 N/mm2
Emean = 11’000 N/mm2
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 47

Worked example
Finishing 6mm
1. Actions Topping 60mm
Insulation 40mm
Boards 50mm
1.1 Perm. load Finishing 0.09 kN/m2
Topping 1.32 kN/m2 Secondary beam
Insulation 0.06 kN/m2 C24, 120x260mm
Boards 0.28 kN/m2
1.75 kN/m2 Main beam
Partitions 1.00 kN/m2 GL24, 160x735mm

1.2 Self weight

Secondary beam 120/260 mm a=1m => 0.17 kN/m2
Main beam 160/735 mm a=4m => 0.17 kN/m2

1.3 Live load Residential 2.0 kN/m2 (ψ2 = 0.3)

Bemessungsmethode gemäss SIA 265

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 48

Worked example
2. Secondary beam – Fire resistance R 30
Solid timber 120/260 mm (C24)
=> Notional charring rate βn = 0.8 mm/min

Fire exposure on 3 sides, tfi,req = 30 min

bfi = 120 - 2 . (30 . 0.8 + 7) = 58 mm
. k0.d0
hfi = 260 - (30 0.8 + 7) = 229 mm
Wfi = = 506.9 . 103 mm3
fm,d,fi = kfi . fm,k = 1.25 . 24 = 30.0 N/mm2

Md,fi =
(1.75 + 1.0 + 0.17 + 0.3 ⋅ 2) ⋅ 1⋅ 4 2
= 7.0 kNm
8

Md,fi
σd,fi =
Wfi
= 13.9 N / mm2 ≤ fm,d,fi = 30.0 N / mm2 
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 49

Worked example
3. Main beam – Fire resistance R 30
Glued laminated timber 160/735 mm (GL24h)
=> Notional charring rate βn = 0.7 mm/min

Fire exposure on 3 sides, tfi,req = 30 min

bfi = 160 - 2 . (30 . 0.7 + 7) = 104 mm
hfi = 735 - (30 . 0.7 + 7) = 707 mm k0.d0

Wfi = = 8664 . 103 mm3

fm,d,fi = kfi . fm,d = 1.15 . 24 = 27.6 N/mm2

Md, fi =
(1.75 + 1.0 + 0.17 + 0.17 + 0.3 ⋅ 2) ⋅ 4 ⋅ 82
= 118.1 kNm
8

Md,fi
σ d,fi =
Wfi
= 13.6 N / mm2 ≤ fm,d,fi = 27.6 N / mm2 

Bemessungsmethode gemäss SIA 265

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 50

Worked example
k0.d0
4. Column – Fire resistance R 30
Solid timber 160/160 mm (C24)
=> Notional charring rate βn = 0.8 mm/min

Fire exposure on 4 sides, tfi,req = 30 min

bfi = 160 - 2 . (30 . 0.8 + 7) = 98 mm
hfi = 160 - 2 . (30 . 0.8 + 7) = 98 mm
Afi = = 9.6 . 103 mm2
8x1m=8m

Nd, fi =
(1.75 + 1.0 + 0.17 + 0.17 + 0.3 ⋅ 2) ⋅ 4 ⋅ 8 = 59.0 kN
2 4m

A ----A
Nd,fi
σd,fi = = 6.1 N / mm2 ≤ fc,0,d,fi = k c,fi ⋅ k fi ⋅ fc,0,k 4m
A fi
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 51

Worked example
4. Column – Fire resistance R 30
Buckling length:  = 3.0m k0.d0

Ifi 98 ⋅ 983 12
ifi = = = 28.3 mm
A fi 98 ⋅ 98

 3000
λ fi = = = 106.0
ifi 28.3

λ fi f λ fc,0,k 106 21
λ rel,fi = ⋅ c,0,k = fi ⋅ = ⋅ = 1.8
π E0,05 π 2 3 ⋅ Emean 3.14 2 3 ⋅ 11000
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 52

Worked example
4. Column – Fire resistance R 30

λ fi f λ fc,0,k 106 21
λ rel,fi = ⋅ c,0,k = fi ⋅ = ⋅ = 1.8 => k c,fi = 0.27
π E0,05 π 2 3 ⋅ Emean 3.14 2 3 ⋅ 11000

kc,fi
Glued laminated timber

Solid
timber

λrel,fi
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 53

Worked example
4. Column – Fire resistance R 30
Solid timber 160/160 mm (C24) k0.d0
=> Notional charring rate βn = 0.8 mm/min

Fire exposure on 4 sides, tfi,req = 30 min

bfi = 160 - 2 . (30 . 0.8 + 7) = 98 mm
hfi = 160 - 2 . (30 . 0.8 + 7) = 98 mm
Afi = = 9.6 . 103 mm2

Nd, fi =
(1.75 + 1.0 + 0.17 + 0.17 + 0.3 ⋅ 2) ⋅ 4 ⋅ 8 = 59.0 kN
2

Nd,fi
σd,fi = = 6.1 N / mm2 ≤ fc,0,d,fi = 0.27 ⋅ 1.25 ⋅ 21 = 7.1 N / mm2 
A fi
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 54

Fire resistance of
60 minutes?
Basic strategies

 Use of massive
cross-sections
 Increase of cross-
sections by charring
depth
 Protection of the timber
elements with non
combustible materials

Material behaviour in fire

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 55

Worked example
5.1 Column – Fire resistance R 60
Solid timber 160/160 mm (C24) => Notional charring rate βn = 0.8 mm/min

Fire exposure on 4 sides, tfi,req = 60 min

Protection with gypsum plasterboards, Type A, single layers, 18mm

t ch = 2.8 ⋅ hp − 14 = 2.8 ⋅ 18 − 14 = 36 min

40

Charring
30
depth 2b
d char,0
20 25 mm
or 1
d char,n
[mm] 10
2a
0
tcht=f tf ta
Time t
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 56

Worked example
5.1 Column – Fire resistance R 60
Protection with gypsum plasterboards, Type A, single layers, 18mm

t ch = 2.8 ⋅ hp − 14 = 2.8 ⋅ 18 − 14 = 36 min

25 25
t a = 36 + = 36 + = 51.5 min
2 ⋅ βn 2 ⋅ 0.8

40

Charring
30
depth 2b
d char,0
20 25 mm
or 1
d char,n
[mm] 10
2a
0
tcht=f tf ta
Time t
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 57

Worked example
k0.d0
5.1 Column – Fire resistance R 60
Solid timber 160/160 mm (C24)
=> Notional charring rate βn = 0.8 mm/min

Fire exposure on 4 sides, tfi,req = 60 min

Protection with gypsum plasterboards, Type A, 18mm
tch = 36 min; ta = 51.5 min
bfi = 160 - 2 . (25 + 8.5 . 0.8 + 7) = 82.4 mm
40
.
hfi = 160 - 2 (25 + 8.5 0.8 + 7) = 82.4 mm .
Charring
. 30
Afi = = 6.8 103 mm2 depth 2b
d char,0
20 25 mm
or 1
d char,n
[mm] 10
2a
0
tcht=f tf ta
Time t
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 58

Worked example
5.1 Column – Fire resistance R 60
Buckling length:  = 3.0m k0.d0

Ifi 82.4 ⋅ 82.43 12

ifi = = = 23.8 mm
A fi 82.4 ⋅ 82.4

 3000
λ fi = = = 126.0
ifi 23.8

λ fi f λ fc,0,k 126.0 21
λ rel,fi = ⋅ c,0,k = fi ⋅ = ⋅ = 2.1
π E0,05 π 2 3 ⋅ Emean 3.14 2 3 ⋅ 11000
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 59

Worked example
5.1 Column – Fire resistance R 60

λ fi f λ fc,0,k 126.0 21
λ rel,fi = ⋅ c,0,k = fi ⋅ = ⋅ = 2.1 => k c,fi = 0.20
π E0,05 π 2 3 ⋅ Emean 3.14 2 3 ⋅ 11000

kc,fi
Glued laminated timber

Solid
timber

λrel,fi
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 60

Worked example
5.1 Column – Fire resistance R 60
Solid timber 160/160mm (C24) k0.d0
=> Notional charring rate βn = 0.8 mm/min

Fire exposure on 4 sides, tfi,req = 60 min

Protection with gypsum plasterboards, Type A, 18mm
tch = 36 min; ta = 51.5 min
bfi = 160 - 2 . (25 + 8.5 . 0.8 + 7) = 82.4 mm
hfi = 160 - 2 . (25 + 8.5 . 0.8 + 7) = 82.4 mm
Afi = = 6.8 . 103 mm2

Nd, fi =
(1.75 + 1.0 + 0.17 + 0.17 + 0.3 ⋅ 2) ⋅ 4 ⋅ 8 = 59.0 kN
2

Nd,fi
σd,fi =
A fi
= 8.7 N / mm2 ≤ fc,0,d,fi = 0.20 ⋅ 1.25 ⋅ 21 = 5.3 N / mm2 
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 61

Worked example
5.2 Column – Fire resistance R 60
Increase of cross-sections by charring depth (≈ 30 . 0.8 = 24mm)

Solid timber 210/210 mm (C24) => Notional charring rate βn = 0.8 mm/min

Fire exposure on 4 sides, tfi,req = 60 min

bfi = 210 - 2 . (60 . 0.8 + 7) = 100 mm
hfi = 210 - 2 . (60 . 0.8 + 7) = 100 mm
Afi = = 10 . 103 mm2

Nd, fi =
(1.75 + 1.0 + 0.17 + 0.17 + 0.3 ⋅ 2) ⋅ 4 ⋅ 8 = 59.0 kN
2

Nd,fi
σd,fi = = 5.9 N / mm2 ≤ fc,0,d,fi = k c,fi ⋅ k fi ⋅ fc,0,k
A fi
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 62

Worked example
5.2 Column – Fire resistance R 60
Buckling length:  = 3.0m k0.d0

Ifi 100 ⋅ 1003 12

ifi = = = 28.9 mm
A fi 100 ⋅ 100

 3000
λ fi = = = 103.8
ifi 28.9

λ fi f λ fc,0,k 103.8 21
λ rel,fi = ⋅ c,0,k = fi ⋅ = ⋅ = 1.8
π E0,05 π 2 3 ⋅ Emean 3.14 2 3 ⋅ 11000
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 63

Worked example
5.2. Column – Fire resistance R 60

λ fi f λ fc,0,k 103.8 21
λ rel,fi = ⋅ c,0,k = fi ⋅ = ⋅ = 1.8 => k c,fi = 0.27
π E0,05 π 2 3 ⋅ Emean 3.14 2 3 ⋅ 11000

kc,fi
Glued laminated timber

Solid
timber

λrel,fi
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 64

Worked example
5.2. Column – Fire resistance R 60
Solid timber 210/210 mm (C24) k0.d0
=> Notional charring rate βn = 0.8 mm/min

Fire exposure on 4 sides, tfi,req = 30 min

bfi = 210 - 2 . (60 . 0.8 + 7) = 100 mm
hfi = 210 - 2 . (60 . 0.8 + 7) = 100 mm
Afi = = 10 . 103 mm2

Nd, fi =
(1.75 + 1.0 + 0.17 + 0.17 + 0.3 ⋅ 2) ⋅ 4 ⋅ 8 = 59.0 kN
2

Nd,fi
σd,fi = = 5.9 N / mm2 ≤ fc,0,d,fi = 0.27 ⋅ 1.25 ⋅ 21 = 7.1 N / mm2 
A fi
 Connections in fire
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 65

Fire test with a multiple shear steel-to-

timber dowelled connection
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 66

Connections

Only symmetrical three-member connections

Dowel-type fasteners (nails, bolts, dowels, screws) and
connectors (split-ring, shear-plate and toothed-plate
connectors)
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 67

Connections

Timber connections

Connections with
Axially loaded Design by
dowel-type
screws testing
fasteners

Connections with Connections with

side members of wood external steel plates

Reduced load EN 1993-1-2

Simplifed rules
method (steel design)
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 68

Connections with steel elements in fire

Connections with side Connections with slotted-
steel plates in steel plates

Connection with side steel Multiple shear steel-to-timber

plates and annular ringed dowelled connection
shank nails

Connections with steel elements in fire

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 69

Connections with side members of wood

Simplified rules – fire resistance determined by thickness of side members
and protective panels, and fastener end/edge distances

Reduced load method – ‘load-carrying capacity vs time’ assumed as one-

parameter exponential empirical model

afi
a3

a4
afi

a4 afi
afi
t1
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 70

Simplified rules – unprotected connections

Connections designed according to EN 1995-1-1

Fastener / connector Fire resistance Provisions

type td,fi [min.]

Nails 15 d ≥ 2,8 mm
Screws 15 d ≥ 3,5 mm
Bolts 15 t1 ≥ 45 mm
Dowels 20 t1 ≥ 45 mm
Connectors (EN 912) 15 t1 ≥ 45 mm

d is the diameter of the fastener

t1 is the thickness of the side member
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 71

Simplified rules – unprotected connections

Greater fire resistance (not exceeding 30 min.) by increasing:
 thickness of side members afi

a3
 width of the side members
 end / edge distance to fasteners a4
afi

a4 afi
βn is the notional charring rate
kflux is a coefficient taking into account afi
t1
increased heat flux through the fastener
treq is the required fire resistance
td,fi is the fire resistance of the unprotected
connection (previous table)
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 72

Simplified rules – protected connections

Wood panelling, wood-based panels or gypsum plasterboard type A or H

additional protection
using panels

glued-in plugs fasteners fixing of the

additional protection
Gypsum plasterboard type F
afi hp

member providing
protection
tch is the time until start of charring of the protected member
member tch = tch (hp) bolt head
treq is the required fire resistance
td,fi is the fire resistance of the unprotected connection
afi
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 73

Simplified rules – protected connections

Fixing of additional protection by nails or screws

≤ 100 mm (along the boards edges)

 Distance between fasteners
≤ 300 mm (for internal fastenings)

 Edge distance of fasteners ≥ afi

≥ 6·d (wood-based panels or gypsum plasterboard type A or H)

 Penetration depth of fasteners
≥ 10·d (gypsum plasterboard type F)

additional protection
afi char layer
using panels
panel
fasteners fixing of the
additional protection unburnt timber
afi

hp afi afi la
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 74

Simplified rules – protected connections

Connections with internal steel plates

Unprotected edges in R30 bst ≥ 200 mm

 width bst of the steel plate general R60 bst ≥ 280 mm

bst
(with unprotected edges) Unprotected edges in R30 bst ≥ 120 mm
one or two sides R60 bst ≥ 280 mm

R30 dg ≥ 30 mm
plate thickness ≤ 3 mm
 steel plates narrower than the R60 dg ≥ 60 mm
timber member are protected if joints with glued-in strips or R30 dg or hp ≥ 10 mm
protective wood based boards R60 dg or hp ≥ 30 mm

hp
dg dg dg

dg dg dg
hp
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 75

Connections: Reduced load method

‘Load-carrying capacity’ vs Fire resistance
 assumed as one-parameter exponential empirical model

 model parameter k for each connection type and limited to a maximum fire exposure period
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 76

Connections: Reduced load method

Load-carrying capacity after a given fire exposure

EN 1995-1-1

Maximum period of
Connection type k validity for k
Nails and screws 0.08 20 min.
Bolts wood-to-wood (d ≥ 12) 0.065 30 min.
Fv,Rk is the characteristic load-carrying capacity Bolts wood-to-wood (d ≥ 12) 0.085 30 min.
at normal temperature Dowels wood-to-wooda (d ≥ 12) 0.04 40 min.
td,fi is the design fire resistance (in minutes) Dowels steel-to-wooda (d ≥ 12) 0.085 30 min.
kfi is a factor to convert 5-percentile values Connectors (EN 912) 0.065 30 min.
to 20-percentile a requires one bolt for every four dowels

γM,fi is the partial safety factor for timber in fire

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 77

Connections: Reduced load method

Fire resistance for a given load level
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 78

Connections: Worked example

Steel-to-timber dowelled connection with internal steel plate

a3 = 84 mm a1 = 84 mm

a4 = 55 mm
Ed Ed = 40 kN
a2 = 50 mm
a4 = 55 mm
td,fi ≥ 30 min ?
GL 24h → ρk = 380 kg/m3
Ø12 dowels, class 6.8 → fu = 600 N/mm2
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 79

Connections: Worked example

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 80

Connections: Worked example


Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 81

Connections: Worked example


Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 82

Connections: Worked example

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 83

Connections: Worked example

 Fire design model for multiple shear steel-to-
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 84

timber dowelled connections

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 85

Influence of steel plates and steel dowels

on charring

Timber Timber with steel plates Timber with steel plates and
steel dowels

Temp. [°C] Temp. [°C] Temp. [°C]

850 850 850
700 700 700
580 580 580
400 400 400
200 215 230
20 74 114

Charring behaviour
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 86

Fire design model for multiple shear

steel-to-timber dowelled connections

t1: thickness of timber

side member

Rd,t,fi = Aef · ft,0,k · kfi

Connections with steel elements in fire
 Fire design model for multiple shear steel-to-
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 87

timber dowelled connections

Fire design model for multiple shear
steel-to-timber dowelled connections
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 88

Informative annexes

• Parametric fire exposure

• Advanced calculation methods
• Load-bearing timber frame assemblies with
cavity insulation
• Charring of members in wall and floor
assemblies with void cavities
• Analysis of the separating function of wall and
floor assemblies
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 89

Advanced calculation methods (e.g. FE analysis)

• Thermal analysis
Effective thermal properties include effects of mass
transport, and cracking and surface recession of
char-layer (only valid for standard fire exposure)

• Structural analysis
Thermo-mechanical properties include transient
effects of combined moisture and elevated
temperature and mechano-sorptive creep
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 90

Advanced calculation methods (e.g. FE analysis)

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 91

Timber frame assemblies with cavities completely

filled with insulation

h
dchar,n
b b

Modification factors kmod,fi are given

 Fire separating function of
walls and floors
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 92
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 93

Requirements for separating function

• Criterion I (insulation)
• ∆T ≤ 140k
(average temperature rise)
• ∆T ≤ 180k
(maximum temperature rise)
Insulation I
• Criterion E (integrity)
• no sustained flaming or hot gases
to ignite a cotton pad
• no cracks or openings in
excess of certain dimensions

Integrity E
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 94

Separating function of wall and floor assemblies

Components additive method

tins = ∑t i
ins,0,i kpos k j

Calculation of the time tins by adding the

contribution to the fire resistance of the
different layers
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 95

Separating function of wall and floor assemblies

Components additive method

tins = ∑t i
ins,0,i kpos k j

Basic value of layer i

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 96

Separating function of wall and floor assemblies

Components additive method

tins = ∑t i
ins,0,i kpos k j

Position coefficient
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 97

Separating function of wall and floor assemblies

Position coefficient kpos

tins,1 > tins,2

The coefficient kpos considers the influence of the

position of the layers in the assembly
Coefficients of design model
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 98

Separating function of wall and floor assemblies

Components additive method

tins = ∑t i
ins,0,i kpos k j

Joint coefficient
for joints not backed
by e.g. battens
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 99

Separating function of wall and floor assemblies

Components additive method

c a b b d

Heat paths
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 100

Separating function: Worked example

1. Wall – Fire resistance EI 60, Geometry
Layer 1: Gypsum plasterboard type A, 12.5 mm
Layer 2: Plywood, 12 mm
Layer 3: Rock fibre batts, 80 mm; ρ = 26 kg/m3
Layer 4: Plywood, 12 mm
Layer 5: Gypsum plasterboard type A, 12.5 mm
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 101

Separating function: Worked example

2. Wall – Fire resistance EI 60, Basic value of layers
Layer 1: Gypsum plasterboard type A, 12.5 mm
tins,0 = 1.4 ⋅ hp = 1.4 ⋅ 1.5 = 17.5 min

Layer 2: Plywood, 12 mm
tins,0 = 0.95 ⋅ hp = 0.95 ⋅ hp = 11 min

Layer 3: Rock fibre batts, 80 mm; ρ = 26 kg/m3

tins,0,i = 0.2 ⋅ hins ⋅ k dens = 0.2 ⋅ 80 ⋅ 1.0 = 16 min

Layer 4: Plywood, 12 mm
tins,0 = 0.95 ⋅ hp = 0.95 ⋅ hp = 11 min

Layer 5: Gypsum plasterboard type A, 12.5 mm

tins,0 = 1.4 ⋅ hp = 1.4 ⋅ 1.5 = 17.5 min
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 102

Separating function: Worked example

3. Wall – Fire resistance EI 60, Position coefficients
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 103

Separating function: Worked example

4. Wall – Fire resistance EI 60, Joint coefficients
Layer 1 to 4: kj = 1.0 (layer backed by other layer)
Layer 5: kj = 1.0 (filled joints)

tins = ∑t i
ins,0,i kpos k j
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 104

Separating function: Worked example

5. Wall – Fire resistance EI 60
Layer 1: Gypsum plasterboard type A, 12.5 mm
Layer 2: Plywood, 12 mm
Layer 3: Rock fibre batts, 80 mm; ρ = 26 kg/m3
Layer 4: Plywood, 12 mm
Layer 5: Gypsum plasterboard type A, 12.5 mm

tins = ∑t i
ins,0,i kpos k j

tins = 17.5 ⋅ 1.0 + 11⋅ 0.8 + 16 ⋅ 1.0 + 11⋅ 1.0 + 17.5 ⋅ 1.2 = 74 min 
 Steinhausen, 6 storeys (Switzerland)

Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 105

Zürich, 7 storeys (Switzerland)

Lugano, 6 storeys
(Switzerland) Baar, 5 storeys (Switzerland)
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 106

Quality of construction
 Fire safety plan with all fire safety measures
 Careful planning and detailing
 Professionally implementation
of fire safety measures
during the execution
 Periodic controls and
maintenance
 The intensity of maintenance and controls must be set
depending of the type of structures and the type and
importance of the building
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 107

Concluding remarks
• EN 1995-1-2 has filled many gaps in the knowledge
of structural timber design in fire
• However, some problems are still to be solved,
hopefully before the next generation of Eurocodes
will be published
• Further knowledge in
“Fire safety in Timber Buildings”
Technical guideline for Europe
SP Report 2010
Workshop ‘Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes’ – Brussels, 27-28 November 2012 108

Future evolution EN 1995-1-2

• Evolution group: D. Dhima, A. Frangi (Chair), A. Just, P. Kuklik,
J. Schmid, N. Werther
• Simplification (“only one design principle
shall be available”)
• Harmonisation (Annexes should be moved
to the main part; other parts and other ENs)
• Improvement / extension
• Cross-laminated timber panel (new rules)
• Timber-concrete-composite elements
(new rules)
• Connections (Improved rules)
• Failure of claddings (Improved rules)
• Separating function (Improved rules)