Composite Structures & Fire Safety

Composite and steel-based structures have grown in importance as an interdisciplinary area of structural engineering over recent years, driven by increased interest in newly developed building materials. Within this broad field, our group focuses on the behaviour, design, and optimisation of composite steel-based solutions that combine traditional and newly developed building materials, with particular attention to their interaction. The main objective of our research activities is to evaluate and understand the mechanical response of composite members, both at the member and component level, and to develop practical solutions supported by thorough experimental investigations, advanced numerical simulations, and analytical methods.

In addition to using different materials to ensure high static performance, steel-based composite solutions can significantly benefit from encasing steel profiles in thermally advantageous building materials. To meet fire-resistance requirements in practice, bare steel profiles are often protected with intumescent coatings,  whereas composite members with embedded steel sections (e.g., in concrete or timber) offer a viable alternative, inherently combining high load-bearing resistance with enhanced fire resistance. Building on this concept, our group investigates the thermomechanical response of composite members under fire conditions, using the advanced facilities and equipment available at the structural engineering laboratory “Bauhalle”. The research aims to develop performance-based fire design methods that account for the detrimental effects of elevated temperatures on material behaviour, contact interfaces, and composite action, thereby facilitating safer and more resilient composite solutions.