Framework for fire risk assessment of bridges

Fire hazard assessment, performance evaluation, and fire resistance enhancement of bridges

“…To estimate fire risk and design bridge structures against fire, this paper proposes a framework comprising five steps, i.e., 1) Fire risk assessment; 2) Realistic fire load estimation; 3) CFD-FE coupling; 4) Estimating fire resistance; 5) Enhancing fire resistance. In the first step, the fire risk of the selected bridge is assessed analytically using the framework developed by the authors [6]. Once the fire risk of the bridge under consideration is estimated, and it is established that the bridge is at high fire risk, a realistic fire scenario is developed in the second step using fire simulation.…”

“…In this section, a framework, developed by Khan et al [6] that considers various factors that can influence the fire hazard to a bridge is utilised to assess the fire risk to a bridge. In this study, three main criteria are considered which contribute to the fire risk of a bridge; (1) the social and economic importance of the bridge, (2) structural vulnerability, and (3) likelihood of a fire.…”

“…Similar criteria, sub-criteria and alternatives were also used in many studies [5,16]. The individual weighting factors associated with each criterion, subcriteria, and alternative were calculated Khan et al [6] using the AHP process. The piers supporting the girders survived the tanker impact as they were protected by a half meter wall around them.…”

“…For fire risk assessment of bridge structures, a framework is required that considers all critical factors affecting the bridge fire risk such as socioeconomic importance of the bridge, structural vulnerability, and likelihood of fire accidents. Only a few research has been conducted to estimate the bridge fire risk [4][5][6]. Khan et al [6] have developed a fire risk assessment framework for bridge structures where weighting to different factors and classes have been calculated depending upon their relative importance.…”

“…Only a few research has been conducted to estimate the bridge fire risk [4][5][6]. Khan et al [6] have developed a fire risk assessment framework for bridge structures where weighting to different factors and classes have been calculated depending upon their relative importance. Once a bridge with high fire risk is identified, it provides an indication to structural fire engineers if the bridge is required to be designed for fire effects or not and if the existing bridges at high fire risk are to be provided with fire protection.…”