About the research group

Information about the work of the University of Sheffield's research group on the fire resistance behaviour of steel and composite structures.

Background

Roger Plank and Ian Burgess started work in 1985, attempting to simulate the behaviour of isolated steel elements in furnace tests. Several software approaches have been used since this time, as the emphasis has gradually shifted from beams and columns in isolation, towards the performance of whole steel and composite framed building structures, or large substructures, in fire conditions.

The main thrust of the research has been in numerical modelling, but we have developed other themes in connection behaviour, tensile membrane action of composite slabs and frame robustness in fire.We have collaborated in several projects with institutions with complementary expertise. We have also done some very successful experimental work at Sheffield on high-temperature connection component behaviour and on model-scale furnace testing of concrete slabs.

We have recently been joined by Dr Giacomo Torelli and Dr Martyn McLaggan, who will take our research in new directions, both in structural fire engineering and in fire dynamics.

As of November 2021, 35 PhDs have been awarded within the group, plus three MPhil and one MSc(Res).

Vulcan

The main theme of the research group has been to progress our understanding of structural actions in fire by analytical studies. These have contributed to the development of our numerical modelling software Vulcan, which has been continuously enhanced over 30 years as a specialised research tool.

Although this research code continues to be developed by the group, a professional design version has been converted to analytical fire engineering design software with a Windows-style graphical user interface. This is now marketed by Vulcan Solutions Ltd, initially a spin-out company set up jointly by the University of Sheffield and Buro Happold Ltd, but recently bought-out by Vulcan's developers.