Abstract: A beam finite element (FE) model for the fire performance of steel reinforced concrete (SRC) plane frames is proposed in the paper, and the FE model is verified by SRC member test results. The failure mode and failure mechanism of the SRC plane frames are systematically studied by using the FE model. The results show that the SRC plane frames have three typical failure modes: failure induced by internal columns, failure induced by side columns, failure induced by combined failure of internal and side columns. The fire location and axial force of heated beams are the key factors that influence the failure mode of the SRC plane frames.