Experimental analysis of the wall deformation of masonry brick and gypsum-sheathed stud walls during standardized fire resistance tests of steel doors

In the case of a fire event, structural components are exposed to a thermal load. To determine the fire resistivity of building components standardized fire resistance tests (FRTs) have to be carried out. Besides the heating and the deformation of building components during the FRT, also the fire response of the adjacent wall construction is important. In the past, the fire response (deformation) of masonry brick and stud walls was examined without building components placed in the wall. However, the thermal expansion of doors and other components is causing a mechanical load on the wall, which is affecting its deformation. Thus, in the present study the deformation of masonry brick walls and gypsum-sheathed stud walls with fire safety steel doors placed in the walls were determined during FRTs. Furthermore, the effect of the different door types, door size and wall thickness on the wall deformation was evaluated. Single leaf doors were approx. 1.3 m × 2.5 m, while double leaf doors were twice the size. The maximum deformation of the masonry brick walls was between 20 and 40 mm, and was hardly affected by the door type and size. However, larger doors with a higher temperature and thermal expansion showed a slightly increasing deformation. In contrast, stud walls were significantly affected by the door, especially when small doors were used. The wall was deformed up to approx. 100 mm for small doors. Using large doors in the stud wall, the wall deformation was limited to 20 mm