LAUSR

Abstract The most important component of passive fire protection of buildings is fire resistance, which is designed to prevent spread of fire and structural collapse in fire. In this paper, results from fire resistance experiments on eight different types of reinforced columns (RC) are presented. The study was undertaken to study the effect of concrete strength, confining reinforcement and the configuration of confining reinforcement on the fire resistance of RC columns. The results show that these parameters of confinement have a marked role to play in the fire rating of the reinforced concrete columns. The disadvantage of high strength concrete being prone to spalling can be mitigated by the enhanced confinement of the RC columns. A simplified design equation, to determine effect of confinement on fire resistance of RC columns, has been arrived at.