Compression load failure of aluminum plates due to fire

► Intermediate-scale experiments were performed to measure compression failure of aluminum during fire exposures. ► Conditions evaluated included geometry, aluminum type, fire exposure level, load, and fire protection. ► Failure temperatures depended on applied stress and aluminum type and ranged from 100 to 480 °C. ► A single temperature criterion cannot be used to predict compression failure of aluminum during a fire exposure. ► A model was developed to predict compression failure during fire exposures. An experimental study was performed to quantify the response and failure of 5083-H116 and 6082-T6 aluminum plates under compression load while being subjected to a constant heat flux representing a fire exposure. Using an intermediate scale loading frame with integrated heating, the study evaluated the effects of geometry, aluminum type, fire exposure, load, and fire protection. Intermediate scale aluminum panels which were more than 0.7 m high and 0.2 m wide were used to gain insights into the structural behavior of large structural sections exposed to fire. Failure temperatures were measured to range from 100 to 480 °C and were dependent on applied stress and aluminum type. This indicates that the use of a single temperature criterion in fire resistance without load as typically done is not sufficient for evaluating structural response during fire. An empirical failure model was developed to account for fire exposure conditions, aluminum type, and geometry.