Temperature analysis and validation of partially encased beams submitted to elevated temperature

Temperature assessment of Partially Encased Beams (PEB) was performed based on the frame work of the experimental bending tests at elevated temperatures. The heating rate of these composite elements was 800 ºC/h in the first stage, followed by a steady stage. This second stage was defined to sustain temperature level while increasing mechanical load. The main objective was to calculate the bending resistance of PEB at different temperature levels (200, 400 and 600 ºC). This paper present the experimental result of 12 tests of a more general study of 27 tests, considering the objective addressed to analyse and validate the numerical model to predict temperature rise of both materials (concrete and steel), in particular the time required to heat the beams with almost constant temperature. This validation is fundamental for the general proposal of simple calculation methods. Good agreement was achieved between experimental and numerical results, obtained by nonlinear thermal transient analysis