Enhancing fire‐resistant design of reinforced concrete beams by investigating the influence of reliability‐based analysis

A depth investigation into the impact of high temperatures on the load‐bearing capacity of reinforced concrete beams in the case of probabilistic design is presented in this paper, employing advanced finite element analysis techniques. This study addresses a critical knowledge gap in the design of fire‐resistant concrete structures, with specific emphasis on the function of concrete cover. The research aims to enhance the overall safety and reliability of concrete buildings under high temperature conditions by providing valuable insights into the behavior of reinforced concrete beams under thermal loading. The analysis incorporates reliability‐based modeling to account for uncertainties in temperature distribution within the beams. A validated finite element model is employed to simulate the performance of reinforced concrete beams at elevated temperatures. By considering various concrete cover thicknesses and heat distribution scenarios, the influence of these factors on the load‐bearing capacity is thoroughly examined. The results underscore the importance of augmenting the concrete cover to enhance the load‐carrying capacity of the beams. Furthermore, the study examines the impact of temperature distribution uncertainties, unveiling diverse load capacities associated with different configurations of concrete cover.