Prediction of Joint Temperatures in Shot-nailed Cold-formed Steel Sheeting with Finite Element Modelling

This paper investigates the 3D temperature fields of the shot-nailed steel roof sheeting joints in fire using commercial Finite Element (FE) software ABAQUS when the connected members and connections are protected by either intumescent paint or rockwool panels. Numerical models and parameters used in the models are briefly introduced. When expanded in fire, both thickness and thermal conductivity are varied with increased temperatures. The simplified representation of intumescent paint is described. Parametric analyses are performed in order to investigate the sensitivity of the parameters of thermal contacts. When the joints are protected with rockwool panels, the approximate cavity radiation method in ABAQUS is used to take the cavity radiation into account among the surfaces of the profiled steel sheeting and fire protection panel. The 3D temperature fields in the proximity of shot-nail connections from above mentioned fire protection solutions are compared. The benefits of using various fire protection solutions are discussed

Investigation of Behavior of Cold-formed Steel Sheeting Systems in Fire Using Finite Element Modeling

A 3D Finite Element (FE) model of steel sheeting, which includes the screw connector and support plate, is created to investigate the behavior of both steel sheeting and connections at elevated temperatures. The created model considers the material nonlinearity, large deformation and contact behavior. The material damage model for sheeting steel is defined so that the FE model is analyzed through the elastic and plastic ranges up to failure. The FE model is used to predict the ultimate resistance and deformation. The current FE model captures the main behavior of steel roof systems well up to around 20 minutes according to the test results from the literatures. The comparisons to the FE model with connector elements created previously show that the lower stiffness of connections reduces both the mid-span displacement up to 15 min and the compressive forces developed at support because of the restrained thermal elongation, which benefits both steel roof sheeting and connections at support. However, the current model needs to be improved in order to have the same final failure mode as from the test results from literatures

Measuring educational needs among patients with rheumatoid arthritis using the Dutch version of the Educational Needs Assessment Tool (DENAT)

The Educational Needs Assessment Tool (ENAT) was developed in the United Kingdom (UK) to systematically assess the educational needs of patients with arthritis. The aim of the present study was to describe the educational needs of Dutch patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by using the Dutch version of the ENAT (DENAT). The original UK version of the ENAT, comprising 39 items grouped into seven domains, was translated into Dutch according to international guidelines for cross-cultural translation and adaptation. The DENAT was then sent to a random sample of 319 RA patients registered at the outpatient clinic of a university hospital. For each domain (score range 1–5, equalling low–high educational needs), a median score with the inter-quartile range was computed. The Kruskal–Wallis test was used to determine possible associations between educational needs and age, disease duration, gender and educational background. The response rate was 165 out of 319 (52%). The median educational needs scores were 2.5 for “managing pain”, 3.0 for “movement”, 2.0 for “feelings”, 4.0 for “arthritis process”, 4.0 for “treatments from health professionals”, 3.5 for “self-help measures” and 2.5 for “support systems”. Lower age and shorter disease duration were associated with more educational needs in the domain “support systems”. In addition, younger patients had more educational needs regarding managing pain and feelings than older patients. There were no associations between gender or educational background and educational needs. The DENAT has demonstrated its ability to identify individual educational needs of Dutch patients with RA. The lower age and shorter disease duration were associated with more educational needs. The practical applicability of the DENAT needs further research

Fire Resistance of Unprotected Ultra Shallow Floor Beams (USFB): A Numerical Investigation

This paper presents the fire resistance behaviour of partially encased in concrete ultra shallow floor beams (USFB) using numerical analysis method based on material specifications of the EN1994-1-2. Investigating the behaviour of USFBs under elevated temperatures is crucial in determining their fire resistance and evaluating their overall performance in contemporary construction. Even though the manufacturing company provides fire resistances for USFBs based on EC4-1-2 procedures, their response to elevated temperature effects remains up to date neither well documented nor clearly understood. The analyses involved two different beams of span 5 m and 8 m respectively, as specified by the manufacturer. Analysis results showed that such beams, when unprotected, experience severe temperature gradients if exposed to fire, as the lower flange still remains unprotected in contrast to the concrete encased part of the cross-section. As it was anticipated, the moment capacity governs the fire resistance of the beams and the load factor highly effects the elevated temperature behaviour. In addition, the loss of the lower flange, which develops high temperatures, is not compensated by the web and consequently the moment capacity ultimately depends on the temperature of the lower flange. Results also suggest that simulated beams sustained the applied load for approximately 40 min of exposure to the standard fire

Collaborative environment for energy-efficient buildings at an early design stage

This paper provides an approach for creating a collaborative environment for energy efficient buildings highlighting the issues required to be addressed at an early design phase. The paper will discuss a design scenario for a new built and suggest system architecture for implementing such scenario through the use of advanced simulation tools and modelling techniques to improve current practice in an early design phase. The suggested system architecture will allow multi-disciplinary teams to collectively and individually explore various energy solutions in a 3D interactive workspace to achieve optimum energy efficiency at building level