AI-based cognitive framework for evaluating response of concrete structures in extreme conditions

In order to highlight the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the field of engineering for extreme conditions, this study offers insights into developing an AI-based cognitive framework capable of accurately tracing response of concrete structures under elevated temperatures. This framework is utilized to derive simple expressions that allow evaluation of thermal and structural response of reinforced concrete (RC) beams and columns either; at a specific point in time or through tracing time-temperature/deformation history, for up to four hours of fire exposure. The developed AI-based framework successfully comprehends the naturally complex behavior of fire-exposed RC structural members and implicitly takes into account high temperature material properties of concrete and steel reinforcement, as well as associated phenomena; i.e. creep deformation and fire-induced spalling, and thus does not require input of temperature-dependent material properties nor need for distinct simulation/analysis software.