Simplified structural fire engineering quiz

Please answer the following 5 multiple choice questions, then click 'submit' to check the result. The pass mark for a CPD certificate is 4 out of 5, and you may retake the quiz as many times as you wish, but the questions will vary! Please note that one, two, three or all of the possible answers presented for each question may be right, and to gain a mark for that question all correct answers must be identified.

Good luck

Simplified structural fire engineering

At what steel temperature did the structure typically fail in the Cardington fire tests?

550°C
620°C
1150°C
It did not fail

When using Tslab and/or Vulcan Lite, which of the following statements are correct?

The position of the mesh in the slab is of great importance
The position of the mesh in the slab is generally of little importance
The type of metal decking used makes a significant impact on results
The type of concrete used makes a significant impact on results

The mechanism which enabled the steel framed building at Cardington to survive the fire tests is called tensile membrane action. Which one of the following statements best describes tensile membrane action?

A yield line mechanism across the floor slab which leads to increased load carrying capacity
A large deflection mechanism leading to enhanced load carrying capacity and characterised by biaxial tension in the mesh at the centre of the slab and a compressive ring in the concrete around the edge
An in-plane expansion of the slab at its boundaries which, if restrained, leads to the development of arching action which in turn enhances the strength of the slab
None of the above.

Tslab is the free programme developed by the Steel Construction Institute for analysing composite metal deck floors of the type tested at Cardington in fire. Which of the following is true of Tslab?

It can be used to design composite metal deck floors with unprotected secondary beams
The floor area to be analysed can include internal columns
The floor area to be analysed must be rectangular
The floor area to be analysed can be any trapezoidal shape.

Vulcan Lite outputs connection forces. Why was this considered to be important?

To determine whether the connection areas require fire protection
Contraction of previously heated beams on cooling can cause failure. Understanding of these forces can be used in the connection design to ensure robust details
Because expansion of the connections on heating can cause rupture and understanding of these forces can be used in the connection design to ensure robust details
All of the above