Numerical simulation and analysis of stainless steel frames at high temperature

•Numerical modelling investigation of stainless steel two-dimensional frames in fire.•Validated sequentially-coupled thermal and mechanical numerical model.•Parametric analysis investigating effects of key behavioural parameters.•Analysis of results and discussion of structural design implications. This paper presents a numerical modelling study investigating the response of stainless steel two-dimensional frame assemblies at elevated temperature that has not been the subject of detailed investigation to date. Finite elements models which capture the combined effects of material degradation with temperature and the interaction between the individual frame elements are developed and validated. The effect of key behavioural parameters including frame type, i.e. sway and non-sway, degree of utilisation, material grade and heating profile is investigated through an extensive parametric modelling. A new set of performance criteria in terms of limiting deflection and limiting rate of deflection for sway and non-sway frames in fire is established and verified.