Abstract:Determining the post-fire residual bearing capacity of restrained high strength steel columns is crucial for the post-fire safety assessment of high strength steel structures. A validated finite element model was used to conduct a systematic parametric analysis of the post-fire residual bearing capacity of restrained high strength steel columns, considering the effects of maximum fire temperature, slenderness ratio, axial restraint stiffness ratio, rotational restraint stiffness ratio, load ratio, load eccentricity, and high strength steel grade and manufacturing process. The results showed that when the maximum fire temperature of the restrained steel column was lower than the temperature corresponding to its maximum axial bearing capacity, the heating and cooling process during the fire had little effect on the residual bearing capacity. Beyond this point, the residual bearing capacity decreased as the maximum fire temperature increased. Under certain circumstances, restrained steel columns with medium slenderness ratios experienced more severe reductions in post-fire residual bearing capacity, and the degree of reduction decreased with an increase in the axial restraint stiffness ratio, load ratio, and load eccentricity. The rotational restraint stiffness ratio affected the residual bearing capacity by influencing the slenderness ratio of the steel column. The reduction degree of post-fire residual bearing capacity of the restrained QT Q890 high strength steel columns was usually the smallest. Based on the results of the parametric analysis and the provisions of current standards, a practical assessment method for the post-fire residual bearing capacity of restrained high strength steel columns was proposed. This method included a simplified calculation approach for determining the post-fire residual bearing capacity, along with conditions and classifications for the continued use of high strength steel columns after fire exposure.