Fire induced progressive collapse of steel building structures: A review of the mechanisms

In this paper, a literature review of the mechanisms involved in fire induced progressive collapse of steel building structures are presented. Researchers have been investigating progressive collapse of building structures for some time. With the changing political climate around the world highlighted by the events of September 11th, 2001, researchers have begun to further study the mechanisms of fire induced structural collapse of steel building structures. Furthermore, with the use of performance based building codes throughout the world, engineers can now investigate the use of alternative structural fire protection strategies. This summary provides a brief overview of conventional fire protection strategies for steel buildings and then describes current work done by researchers in the area of the mechanisms involved in fire induced progressive collapse of steel building structures. A summary of two possible design methodologies for resistance of fire-induced progressive collapse are presented.