A Streamlined Approach to Calculating the Response of Bridge Structures to Open-Air Hydrocarbon Fires

Abstract

A streamlined, simplified methodology is proposed for the efficient calculation of a bridge’s response to a vehicle-based hydrocarbon pool fire resulting from a tanker truck crash via a four-step methodology: (1) calculate the fire’s characteristics and geometry; (2) calculate the heat transfer from the fire to the structural elements; and (3) calculate the temperature increase of the structural elements; and (4) calculate the resulting material and mechanical response of the structural elements. The approach synthesizes numerous calculation techniques based on both first principles and empirical data to quantify the extent of the damage caused by a specified fire threat. The methodology is used to demonstrate the design process for fire protection on a cable-stayed bridge