Evaluación de la capacidad estructural resistente al fuego de la estructura del bloque 1 de la empresa “Mikrocartón” ubicada en la ciudad de Ambato

Abstract

The analysis of structural resistance to fire has acquired great relevance in the scientific field, especially in the study of industrial structures, due to its direct impact on the safety of occupants, property and evacuation times in emergency situations. Initially, a detailed geometric survey of the structural elements was carried out using highprecision measurement tools, then a static linear analysis was carried out considering the NEC guidelines, where their behavior was evaluated under various combinations of loads, including dead load, live load, wind and earthquake. This analysis allowed the identification of the load capacity of each structural section, as well as its deformations and lateral displacements; during this process, structural deficiencies were detected that required the formulation of specific reinforcement measures to guarantee the stability and safety of the building. Finally, the behavior of the structural elements under fire conditions was evaluated through a normative analysis that allowed determining the critical fire time. A manual calculation method was used based on Eurocode guidelines, which allowed the load capacity to be established based on the residual resistance of the structural section, considering the influence of temperature through standardized time-temperature curves. However, when it became evident that the structure could not withstand the expected temperature, a protection system was implemented using 12.7 mm thick gypsum panel boxes, managing to reduce the effect of fire by up to 64 percent in the critical section.