Theoretical analysis and numerical simulation on behaviour properties of large span cable-supported structures under fire conditions

Large span cable-supported structures have been developed rapidly in China, and they always adopt high-strength steel cables as structural members. However, the modulus of elasticity and yield strength of steel material will decrease seriously under fire conditions while fire protection is unlikely to be provided for steel cable. Several typical large span cable-supported structures such as cable truss, beam string structure and prestressed cable net are studied on their structural behaviour in this paper. Theoretical formulae are derived in terms of geometrical and material nonlinearity with high temperature effect. Finite element models are also established to simulate the structural performance under fire conditions. The calculation formulae for fire-resisting design are suggested for these three types of structures, while displacement and prestressed force variation rules are also given.