Elevated temperature material properties of stainless steel alloys

Abstract

Appropriate assessment of the fire resistance of structures depends largely on the ability to accurately predict the material response at elevated temperature. The material characteristics of stainless steel differ from those of carbon steel due to the high alloy content. These differences have been explored in some detail at room temperature, whilst those at elevated temperature have been less closely scrutinised. This paper presents an overview and reappraisal of previous pertinent research, together with an evaluation of existing elevated temperature stainless steel stress–strain test data and previously proposed material models. On the basis of examination of all available test data, much of which have been recently generated, revised strength and stiffness reduction factors at elevated temperatures for a range of grades of stainless steel have been proposed, including four grades not previously covered by existing structural fire design guidance. A total of eight sets of strength reduction factors are currently provided for different grades of stainless steel in EN 1993-1-2 and the Euro Inox/SCI Design Manual for Structural Stainless Steel, compared to a single set for carbon steel. A number of sets of reduction factors is appropriate for stainless steel since the elevated temperature properties can vary markedly between different grades, but this has to be justified with sufficient test data and balanced against ease of design — it has been proposed herein that the eight sets of reduction factors be rationalised on the basis of grouping grades that exhibit similar elevated temperature properties. In addition to more accurate prediction of discrete features of the elevated temperature material stress–strain response of stainless steel (i.e. strength and stiffness reduction factors), a material model for the continuous prediction of the stress–strain response by means of a modified compound Ramberg–Osgood formulation has also been proposed. The proposed model is less complex than the current provisions of EN 1993-1-2, more accurate when compared to test results, and the model parameters have a clear physical significance.