Greater numbers of people are moving into wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas, increasing the number of people at risk to large wildfires. To mitigate the hazard, emphasis is often placed on fuel treatments used to reduce fuel loads and subsequent fire behavior. This approach overlooks the additional benefits provided by vegetation, including carbon storage and sequestration along with air pollutant removal. This study aimed to calculate and compare differences in representative values by examining a study site in the Klamath Mountains of Northern California. Fire behavior simulations were done under various weather scenarios to illustrate both the impact of weather on fire intensity as well as the limitations of various fuel treatments. Ecosystem services were modeled using the I-tree Eco software (formerly the Urban Forest Effects model). Results showed a reduction in surface and an increase in canopy base height from the treatments and subsequent reductions in fire intensity under moderate and high conditions with the largest difference occurring in the Thin + Fire treatment. Under extreme weather conditions, the effectiveness of all fuel treatments was reduced. Ecosystem services showed a reduction of carbon sequestration in the fuel treatments corresponding to the reduction of smaller diameter trees from the fuel treatments. The greatest difference occurred in the Thin + Fire treatment. These results and the methods used to acquire them show the impacts from fuel treatments can be characterized and compared. This information will allow land managers to make decisions that account for a variety of considerations, while also providing them with tools that can facilitate the cooperation and collaboration of multiple stakeholders.

Cette thèse avait pour but de comprendre le comportement thermique de composites silicones. Pour cela, une étude bibliographique complète sur le comportement au feu des silicones comme matrice ou en tant que retardateur de flamme a tout d'abord été réalisée. Ce travail a permis de définir une stratégie permettant d'améliorer la stabilité thermique de la matrice mais également du composite silicone. Une première étude expérimentale a été consacrée à l'étude de l'influence de l'ajout de platine et de silice sur le comportement thermique d'un composite silicone modèle. Nous avons pu montrer que l'immobilisation des chaînes macromoléculaires était le facteur clef pour une céramisation efficace. Dans une deuxième partie, des composites silicones dans lesquels nous avons incorporé des charges à base soit de calcium, soit d'aluminium ont été testés selon trois différents protocoles de dégradation thermique. Nous avons d'abord mis en exergue le fait que la nature chimique (charge non hydratée, contenant de l'eau ou portant des groupements hydroxyles en surface), la taille et la morphologie des charges influençaient fortement le comportement thermique du silicone. Nous avons ensuite montré que la formation de nouvelles structures cristallines et l'absence de libération de gaz dégradant la matrice conduisaient à des résidus très cohésifs, après pyrolyse extrême. Enfin, des tests calorimétriques ont montré que l'amélioration du comportement au feu des composites était liée à la stabilité thermique et/ou à la génération d'une couche barrière. / This PhD work has been devoted to the study of the thermal behavior of silicone composites. A preliminary review on the flame retardancy of silicone reported numerous works devoted to the development of thermally-resistant silicone composites or silicone polymers used as flame retardant agents in other organic polymer matrices. The first part of our experimental work highlighted the key role of macromolecular chain immobilization, through the synergy of platinum and silica, in generating high ceramized residue content after thermal gravimetry. The second part of this work was dedicated to the study of silicone composites filled with either calcium or aluminum-based fillers. The filler nature (non hydrated, water releasing or hydroxyl groups on the surface), the morphology and the particle size strongly influenced the thermal behavior of silicone composites. The analyses on composites residues after extreme pyrolysis showed that the formation of new crystalline structures and the absence of water release favored the residue ceramization. The investigation on fire reaction of silicone composites finally granted their outstanding properties to the matrix thermal stability and/or a barrier layer formation.

La volonté croissante de diminuer l’empreinte écologique des matières plastiques favorise le développement de polymères et d’additifs issus de ressources renouvelables afin de limiter leur impact environnemental. Les retardateurs de flamme sont une famille d’additifs qui jouent un rôle crucial dans de nombreux domaines d’application où le risque d’incendie est avéré. Cette étude vise donc à développer de nouveaux systèmes retardateurs de flamme à partir de composés issus de la biomasse afin d’améliorer le comportement au feu d’un polymère bio-sourcé, l’acide polylactique (PLA). La lignine et la cellulose ont été choisies comme composés de base. Des procédés adaptés ont permis de transformer ces composés à l’état nanoparticulaire, puis ils ont été fonctionnalisés avec des produits phosphorés ou alors mélangés avec du polyphosphate d’ammonium, et incorporés dans l’acide polylactique au mélangeur interne. La stabilité thermique, l’inflammabilité et le comportement au feu des composites ainsi obtenus ont été étudiés. Les résultats obtenus avec certains systèmes sont prometteurs. / The growing desire to reduce the ecological footprint of plastic materials promotes the development of polymers and additives from renewable resources in order to limit their environmental impact. Flame retardants represent an important family of additives that play a crucial role in many fields where fire hazard is encountered. Thus this study aims at developing new flame retardant systems from biomass compounds to improve the fire behavior of polylactide (PLA), a bio-based polymer. Lignin and cellulose were chosen as pristine compounds. These compounds have been transformed into nanoparticles with adapted processes. Then, they were functionalized with phosphorous moieties or mixed with ammonium polyphosphate, and incorporated into polylactide with in internal mixer. Thermal, flammability and fire properties of these compounds were evaluated. The results obtained with some systems are promising.

Les silicones possèdent naturellement d'excellentes propriétés au feu. Ils dégagent peu de chaleur et ne produisent pas de composés toxiques en brulant. Cependant, pour leur utilisation en câblerie de sécurité, il est nécessaire d'améliorer la cohésion des cendres et diminuer l'opacité des fumées produites par leur combustion. Aussi, dans le cadre de ce travail, plusieurs additifs phosphorés ont été incorporés dans une formulation silicone modèle pour générer du charbonnement. Quel que soit le composé phosphoré introduit, le comportement au feu a été dégradé du fait d'une diminution de la stabilité thermique du silicone. De plus, la cohésion des résidus n'a pas été améliorée par ces composés. C'est pourquoi des verres de bas point de ramollissement et des borates ont été testés dans un second temps. Sur l'ensemble de ces nouveaux essais, seul un verre en particulier a permis d'augmenter la cohésion des cendres mais celui-ci a également dégradé le comportement au feu en déstabilisant thermiquement le silicone. L'objectif de la réduction de la quantité de fumées dégagée a été atteint en générant un effet barrière grâce à la dispersion d'un talc de haut facteur de forme. Cet effet barrière a également permis de diminuer le débit calorifique et d'augmenter la quantité de résidus finaux sans cependant augmenter la cohésion des cendres. La combinaison de ce même talc avec le cyanurate de mélamine nous a permis d'obtenir la classification V-0 au test UL-94. L'effet barrière du talc a été conservé mais est légèrement perturbé par le dégagement gazeux de l'additif azoté. Une optimisation de la formulation serait intéressante à mener pour conserver la classification V-0 et un effet barrière optimum. / Silicones exhibit excellent fire properties. They do not release toxic products and release a low rate of heat when they burn. However, to be used as wires for safety devices, they need greater ashes cohesion and they have to release less smoke during combustion. To that end, many phosphorus compounds have been introduced in a model silicone formulation to generate a charring layer. Whatever the phosphorous compound introduced in formulations, the fire behavior was deteriorated and the silicone thermal stability decreased. Moreover, the residue cohesion was not improved by these compounds. Hence, glass frits with low melting points and borates based compounds were tested in a second step. Just one particular glass frit was able to improve the ashes cohesion but the fire behavior was impaired by a decrease of the silicone thermal stability.The objective in term of decrease of smoke release was achieved by the dispersion of a high aspect ratio talc able to generate a barrier effect. This barrier effect also permitted to decrease the total heat release and mass loss. Unfortunately, ashes cohesion was not improved by this talc. In combination with melamine cyanurate, this talc succeeded to reach the V-0 classification according to the UL-94 test. The talc still imparts a barrier effect but it was slightly disturbed by the gaseous release of nitrogen compound. An optimization of the formula could be interesting to preserve the V-0 classification and an optimum barrier effect.

L’origine des incendies domestiques peut être aussi diverse qu’une mauvaise installation électrique, une cigarette mal éteinte, un mauvais entretien d’une cheminée… Ce mémoire traite de l’inflammabilité de différents matériaux de l’habitat face à une source radiative. Plusieurs paramètres tels que la dimension, l’orientation et la nature des matériaux ont été étudiés dans des conditions opératoires similaires. Ces travaux ont conduit au développement d’un nouveau dispositif expérimental permettant de travailler à différentes échelles : le RAPACES (RAdiant PAnel Concentrator Experimental Setup). Les résultats obtenus sur le PMMA ont permis de mettre en évidence que les facteurs géométriques jouent un rôle prépondérant; d’une part sur l’ignition (variation des propriétés thermo-radiatives) et d’autre part sur la dynamique de combustion à travers des phénomènes structuraux (déstabilisation structurelle, affaissement et écoulement du matériau). Cette démarche a également été appliquée à des matériaux plus complexes (contreplaqué, tapisserie, moquette). L’utilisation d’un modèle numérique a permis de valider certaines hypothèses concernant le comportement au feu du PMMA. Enfin, des configurations originales constituées d’assemblages de matériaux ont été testées et ont permis de mettre en évidence les interactions entre combustibles en termes d’ignition et de propagation de flamme. / The origin of home fires can be as diverse as poor wiring, a smoldering cigarette, poor maintenance of a fireplace... This manuscript deals with the flammability of various household materials exposed to a radiative source. Several parameters such as dimension, orientation and nature of materials were investigated in similar operating conditions. These studies led to the development of new experimental device enabling working at different scales: RAPACES (RAdiant PAnel Concentrator Experimental Setup). The results obtained on PMMA showed that geometric factors play a major role (i) on ignition (variation of thermal radiative properties) and (ii) on combustion dynamics through structural phenomena (destabilization, collapsing and polymer melting). This approach was also applied to complex materials (plywood, tapestry, carpet). A numerical model was used to validate some hypothesis regarding the fire behavior of PMMA. Finally, original configurations including material assemblies were performed and clearly evidenced the effect of fuel interactions on ignition and flame propagation.

Les matériaux polymères ont connu un essor considérable dans le milieu du bâtiment depuis de nombreuses années, du fait d'un large panel de propriétés. Ces matériaux sont cependant très sensibles à la température et peuvent être facilement inflammables, permettant le développement d'un incendie. Du fait de la mise en place de normes de plus en plus strictes, relatives à la sécurité vis-à-vis d'un feu, il est nécessaire de mettre au point des systèmes retardateurs de flamme de plus en plus performants.Le premier objectif de la thèse est d'étudier les mécanismes retardateurs de flamme de composites EVA/ATH, et en particulier l'effet barrière. La notion de compacité de la couche de particules a pu être mise en évidence via l'essai de compression oedométrique. La mesure de la résistance à la compression d'une poudre, ou d'un mélange, permet d'estimer l'efficacité de l'effet barrière dans le cas de composites EVA/ATH.Le second objectif s'est concentré sur la caractérisation de nouvelles charges pouvant améliorer le comportement au feu de l'EVA. Dans un premier temps, de la diatomite a été introduite, jouant le rôle d'agent de synergie avec l'ATH. Dans un second temps, de la colémanite et des fondants broyés ont été introduits afin d’améliorer la cohésion de la couche barrière et du résidu de combustion par vitrification. La colémanite s’est révélée être un retardateur de flamme efficace, du fait de la libération d’eau de façon endothermique, et d’une vitrification à haute température. Dispersés dans la masse, les fondants perturbent la formation de la couche barrière du fait de la coagulation des particules. En tant que couche supérieure d’un système coeur-peau, le fondant vitrifie lors du refroidissement de l’échantillon, assurant la cohésion du résidu, ainsi qu’un rôle de suppresseur de fumées.Finalement, le dernier objectif de la thèse est de traiter des ATH, afin d’améliorer les propriétés mécaniques et retardatrices de flamme de l’EVA. Des molécules de greffage ont été réalisées à partir de MAPC1. La présence d’un copolymère p(MMA-co-MAPC1(OH)2) à la surface des particules homogénéise la dispersion de l’ATH dans la matrice EVA, améliorant les propriétés d’allongement à la rupture du composite. Un homopolymère p(MAPC1(OH)2) permet également d’améliorer la dispersion et l’allongement à la rupture. De plus, les groupements phosphorés présents le long de la chaîne semblent capables d’agir en phase condensée en tant que promoteur de charbonnement, ainsi qu’en phase gazeuse par le biais de radicaux réactifs. / Polymeric materials are booming for many years in the building industry, due to a wide range of properties. However, those materials are particularly heat sensitive and may be easily flammable, contributing to the development of a fire. Because of the implementation of more strict standards related to fire safety, the elaboration of more and more efficient fire retardant systems is necessary.The first goal of this thesis is to study the fire retardant mechanisms of EVA/ATH composites, and particularly the barrier effect. The role of the packing fraction of the particles layer was assessed used the oedometric compression test. The measurement of the resistance to compression of a powder, or a combination, can be used to estimate the efficiency of the barrier effect for EVA/ATH composites.The second goal has focused on the characterization of new fillers in order to improve the fire behavior of the EVA copolymer. Firstly, diatomite was introduced as a synergistic agent with ATH. In a second time, ground colemanite and glass frits were introduced in order to improve the cohesion of the barrier layer and the residue of combustion by vitrification. Colemanite seems to be an efficient fire retardant, because of the endothermic reaction associated with the release of structural water, and a vitrification at high temperature. When the glass frits are introduced in EVA/ATH composites, the formation of the barrier layer is disrupted because of the coagulation of particles. As an upper layer in a skin-core structure, the glass frit vitrifies during the cooling of the sample, improving the cohesion of the residue and acting as a smoke suppressor.Finally, the last goal of this thesis was to functionalize ATH, to improve mechanical and fire retardant properties of EVA. Surface treatment molecules were synthetized, based on a phosphonated monomer, the MAPC1. The presence of a p(MMA-co-MAPC1(OH)2) copolymer at the surface of particles improves the filler dispersion in the matrix, enhancing the elongation at break. The grafting using a p(MAPC1(OH)2) homopolymer also improves the filler dispersion and the elongation at break. Moreover, the phosphorus based functions along the molecular chain, seem to act in condensed phase as a char promoter, and in gaseous phase by means of reactive radicals.

"The fire resistance of structural building elements has become an increasing concern after the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001. This concern has pushed for changes in the building codes and standards to incorporate a performance-based approach to design. Performance-based design is a process where fire safety solutions are determined using a representation of the actual fire stages that may occur in a structure during a fire event. The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) has added Appendix 4 in the Specification for Structural Steel Buildings to the current edition of the Steel Construction Manual to provide engineers with guidance in designing steel structures and components for fire conditions. The performance-based approach outlined in Appendix 4 is designed to prevent loss of life, structural collapse, and the outbreak of fires through elimination of ignition sources. Adopting this approach, requires structural engineers to have a better understanding of the behavior of steel connections under fire conditions as well as the tools, techniques and judgment for analysis. The focus of this thesis is to study the strength behavior of steel connections under fire conditions with the assistance of the finite element software, ALGOR. Connections of varying thickness and bolt patterns are constructed using the ALGOR pre-processing software. A time-temperature fire curve is combined with external loads, applied to the models and then analyzed in the program. Stress-strain diagrams are created using the results and yield loads are determined for the various connections at normal and elevated temperatures. These yield loads are compared to values found from a mathematical analysis of the limit state equations in Chapter J of the Specifications. The elevated models are created with temperature-dependent material properties, therefore the yield loads are associated with critical temperatures within the connection models. It is found that the capacity and governing temperature of the connections is determined by the limit state of bearing at the bolt hole. At elevated temperatures, the finite element analysis produces capacities significantly lower than the analysis at normal temperatures. "

"Understanding fire behavior is critical to effective tactical decision making on the fireground, particularly since fireground operations significantly impact the growth and spread of the fire. Computer-based simulation is a flexible, low-cost training methodology with proven success in fields such as pilot training, space, and military applications. Computer-based simulation may enhance fire behavior training and promote effective fireground decision making. This study evaluates the potential of the NIST Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) and Smokeview to be utilized as a part of a computer-based fire fighter trainer. Laboratory compartment fire experiments and full-scale fire experiments in a live-fire training facility were both conducted as part of the NIST Multiphase Study on Fire Fighter Safety and the Deployment of Resources. The laboratory experiments characterized the burning behavior of wood pallets to design a repeatable fire for use in the field experiments. The field experiments observed the effects of varying fire fighter deployment configurations on the performance times of fire fighter actions at a live fire training facility. These actions included opening the front door and fire suppression. Because the field experiments simulated numerous fire department responses to a repeatable fire, data were available to evaluate FDS simulation of heat and smoke spread, and changes in the thermal environment after the front door is opened and fire suppressed. In simulating the field experiments, the laboratory-measured heat release rate was used as an input. Given this assumption, this study has two objectives: 1) to determine if simulations accurately spread heat and smoke through a multi-level, multi-compartment live fire training facility 2) to determine if the simulations properly reproduce changes in the thermal environment that result from two typical fire fighter actions: opening the front door and fire suppression. In simulation, heat and smoke spread to measurement locations throughout the test structure at times closely matching experimentally measured times. Predictions of peak temperatures near the ceiling were within approximately 20% for all measurement locations. Hot gas layer temperature and depth were both predicted within 10% of the floor to ceiling height. After the front door was opened, temperature changes near the door at the highest and lowest measurement locations matched with temperature changes in the experiments. After fire suppression, FDS simulated temperature decay at a rate within the range measured in the field experiments and approximated the total rise of the hot gas layer interface in the burn compartment 250 seconds after suppression."

La prise de conscience sociétale vis-à-vis des problèmes environnementaux augmente et conduit à une forte demande en matériaux issus de ressources renouvelables, comme les biocomposites. La sensibilité thermique et le comportement au feu restreint leur utilisation pour certaines applications comme le bâtiment. La réglementation en matière de sécurité incendie est très importante et nécessite donc de trouver des solutions adaptées pour améliorer le comportement au feu de ces matériaux. Dans ce contexte, nous avons dans un premier temps étudié la dégradation thermique et le comportement au feu des fibres naturelles seules et particulièrement l'impact de ses composants sur le comportement au feu. Ensuite, nous avons étudié la réactivité de quatre fonctions (amine, acide carboxylique, alcoxysilane et acide phosphonique) sur la fibre de lin et ses composants (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignine). La caractérisation des greffages a été réalisée de manière originale par des techniques de dégradation thermique.Ensuite, nous nous sommes intéressés à la dégradation thermique et au comportement au feu de biocomposites. Nous avons étudié le comportement au feu de biocomposite à base de PBS et de fibres naturelles en faisant varier différents paramètres comme le taux de fibres, la nature des fibres et l'influence d'un retardateur de flamme phosphoné. Deux stratégies d'ignifugation ont été testées : l'ajout en masse dans la matrice et le greffage sur les fibres naturelles de retardateur de flamme. Pour aller plus loin dans les stratégies d'ignifugation par greffage de retardateur de flamme, nous avons comparé l'influence du greffage d'une molécule et d'une macromolécule sur le comportement au feu du lin et du biocomposite PBS/lin. / The environmental awareness in the society is increasing and leads to a strong demand in material from renewable resources, such as biocomposites. The thermal sensitivity and the flammability restrict their use for certain applications such as building. The fire safety regulation is of prime importance and requires adaptive solutions to be found to improve the fire behavior of these materials.In this context, we have studied the thermal degradation and the fire behavior of natural fibers and particularly the effect of its components on the fire behavior. Then, we studied the reactivity of four moieties (amine, carboxylic acid, alkoxisilane and phosphonic acid) on the natural fibers. The grafting characterization was carried out with original techniques based on thermal degradation.Then, we are interested on the thermal degradation and the fire behaviour of biocomposites. We studied the fire behaviour of biocomposite based on PBS and natural fibers varying different parameters such as the amount of fibers, the type of natural fibers and the influence of a phosphonated fire retardant. Two fireproofing strategies have been tested: the addition in polymer matrix and the grafting on natural fibers of fire retardant. To go further in the fireproofing strategy by fire retardant grafting, we have compared the influence of the molecule or macromolecule grafting on the fire behaviour of flax and PBS/flax biocomposite.

Each year many forest fires have occurred and huge amount of forest areas in each country have been lost. Turkey like many world countries have forest fire problem. 27 % of Turkey&amp / #65533 / s lands are covered by forest and 48 % of these forest areas are productive, however 52 % of them must be protected. There occurred 21000 forest fires due to several reasons between 1993 and 2002. It is estimated that 23477 ha area has been destroyed annually due to wildfires. The fire management strategies can be built on the scenarios derived from the simulation processes. In this study a GIS &amp / #65533 / based fire simulating model is used to simulate a past fire occurred in Marmaris &amp / #65533 / &Ccedil / etibeli, Turkey, in August 2002. This model uses Rothermel&amp / #65533 / s surface fire model, Rothermel&amp / #65533 / s and Van Wagner&amp / #65533 / s crown fire model and Albini&amp / #65533 / s torching tree model. The input variables required by the model can be divided into four groups: fuel type, fuel moisture, topography and wind. The suitable fuel type classification of the vegetation of the study area has been performed according to the Northern Forest Fire Laboratory (NFFL) Fuel Model. The fuel moisture data were obtained from the experts working in the General Directorate of Forestry. The fire spread pattern was derived using two IKONOS images representing the pre- and post-fire situations by visual interpretation. Time of arrival, the rate of spread and the spread direction of the fire were obtained as the output and 70 % of the burned area was estimated correctly from the fire simulating model.