Four axially loaded steel columns were tested under non-uniform heating conditions to experimentally evaluate the thermal gradient effects on the fire resistance (temperature and failure time) of steel columns with pinned ends. Each column length is nominally equal to 12 feet. Two different I-shapes (W8x35 and W14x53) made of ASTM A992 were used.  Column ends were designed as pinned-pinned conditions  to allow rotation about the weak-axis. Various fire protection scheme and heating rates were applied to create the thermal gradient through the cross-section. Test data includes the steel temperature-time responses at various cross-sections along the heated length of the column specimen. Test results indicate that thermal gradients through cross-sections can lead to a significant increase in lateral displacements due to thermal bowing, which can develop the secondary moment effects in the early stage of heating, and can be eventually reduce the fire resistance of steel columns. 

• Amit H. Varma
• Amit H. Varma
• Erica C Fischer
• Lisa Choe
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• Thermal gradients in columns subjected to fire v.1.0 - published 23 Jun 2015 in Datasets