Post-Earthquake Fire Resistance in Structures: A Review of Current Research and Future Directions

Post-earthquake fires (PEFs) pose a significant secondary hazard in earthquake-prone regions, compounding the destruction caused by seismic events and threatening structural safety. This review explores the interplay between seismic damage and fire resistance, focusing on ignition sources such as damaged utility systems and overturned appliances, and their cascading effects on structural integrity. Advanced performance-based design approaches are evaluated, emphasizing the integration of probabilistic risk assessments, sequential analysis, and hybrid fire simulations to address multi-hazard scenarios. Key findings of current studies reveal that seismic damage, including spalling, cracking, and loss of fireproofing, substantially reduces the fire resistance of materials like steel and reinforced concrete, exacerbating structural vulnerabilities. Despite advancements, critical gaps persist in experimental data, probabilistic modeling, and comprehensive performance-based design guidelines for PEF scenarios. Addressing these deficiencies requires enhanced data collection, improved modeling techniques, and the integration of PEF considerations into building codes. This study provides a comprehensive review of PEF damage assessment and underscores the need for a holistic, multi-hazard design paradigm to enhance structural resilience and ensure safety in regions subject to seismic and fire risks. These insights provide a foundation for future research and practical applications aimed at mitigating the compounded effects of earthquakes and fires.