The tensile membrane action of unrestrained composite slabs simulated under fire conditions

Following a major fire test programme on a full-scale, steel-framed building it was found that the composite flooring system, comprising lightweight concrete, anti-crack mesh reinforcement and steel deck, had a greater inherent fire resistance than suggested by current codified design methods. It was felt that this was due to tensile membrane action occurring in the slab at large displacements. This led to an independent test being conducted at the Building Research Establishment where a 9.5 m×6.5 m composite slab, with nominal horizontal restraint to its edges, was tested to failure. To simulate the behaviour of the slab in fire, the steel deck was removed, leaving the concrete and anti-crack reinforcement, before load was applied. Tensile membrane action was shown to occur, with the failure load being approximately double that calculated using the classic yield line theory.