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Advancing Performance-Based Structural Fire Engineering Design in the U.S.

This project was developed to demonstrate the proper execution and potential benefits of performance-based structural fire design (PBSFD) for structural fire protection as an alternative to the traditional prescriptive method.  This project includes the analysis of four regionally diverse, protected, steel-framed building designs by design teams from four firms: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH), Magnusson Klemencic Associates (MKA), Thornton Tomasetti (TT), and Walter P Moore (WPM). The design teams worked closely with a panel of academic advisors from four institutions: University at Buffalo, Oregon State University, Johns Hopkins University, and University College London (previously with University of Maryland). 

Each design team examined their existing building for multiple design scenarios that included varying levels of performance objectives and structural design freedom. The scope of each analysis included the characterization of uncontrolled fire exposure within building spaces, the associated thermal response of structural elements, and the resulting structural system response per the provisions of ASCE 7-16 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures Appendix E Performance Based Design Procedures for Fire Effects on Structures (Appendix E).  Comprehensive structural analyses identified key structural system vulnerabilities under fire exposure to be addressed to achieve the required performance objectives specified in ASCE 7-16, Appendix E.

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PROJECT DATA
CONTRACT NUMBER: RGA 04-18
RESEARCH TITLE: Advancing Performance-Based Structural Fire Engineering Design in the U.S. through Exemplar Procedural Guidance
RESEARCH CATEGORY: Performance-Based Fire Engineering
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS: Kevin LaMalva, PE
MKA CONTRIBUTORS: Robert Baxter, PE, SE
Amy Garras, PE, SE
Ron Klemencic, PE, SE, Hon. AIA
Chris Lubke, PE, SE
STATUS: Final document published by ASCE in 2020

LINKS
Performance-Based Structural Fire Design: Exemplar Designs of Four Regionally Diverse Buildings using ASCE 7-16, Appendix E

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MKA Foundation
1301 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3200
Seattle, Washington 98101
206 292 1200
mkafoundation@mka.com

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