To obtain an understanding of the performance of buildings in fire, the material behaviour forming the components of the building needs to be understood at elevated temperatures.

The following material behaviour at elevated temperatures is discussed:

• Steels
• Concrete
• Timber
• Masonry

Mechanical properties depend on the rate of loading and the rate of heating. There are basically two types of tests to derive a constitutive equation for modeling the stress-strain-temperature relationship, known as

• A Steady-State Test
• A Transient-State Test

The mechanical properties that vary with temperature comprise:

• Stress-strain relationship (elastic modulus, yield strength and ultimate strength)
• Creep

The thermal properties that vary with temperature comprise:

• Thermal Expansion
• Thermal Conductivity
• Specific Heat Capacity