Performance-based post-fire assessment of an RC high-rise building: a case study

Abstract

Past research has predominantly focused on fire analysis in developed countries; however, there is a dearth of similar studies in developing countries such as Pakistan, where fire incidents in building structures are increasing significantly. This study presents a performance-based post-fire assessment of a reinforced concrete building in Karachi, Pakistan, a real case study of a structure that withstood a fire incident without collapse. The uncertainty regarding such structures’ residual strength necessitates a systematic evaluation to determine whether to strengthen or demolish them. This research comprehensively evaluates a tall building’s performance, through detailed numerical simulation by employing guidelines from European standards for fire-affected structures and American Society of Civil Engineers standards. This work contributes: (i) a full-building, code-compliant performance-based post-fire assessment tailored to regional practices, (ii) a comparative study using both parametric and standard ISO 834 design fires, and (iii) a framework directly linking analytical results to practical strengthening or demolition decisions. The case-study building underwent pre- and post-fire sequential analyses (gravity and pushover) and demonstrated reduced component strength and global resilience, framing critical decisions on residual structural integrity. These findings are consistent with on-site post-fire observations, providing qualitative validation of the analytical approach.