Thesis. 1976. Sc.D.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering. / This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections. / Microfiche copy available in Archives and Engineering. / Includes bibliographical references. / by N. Albert Moussa. / Sc.D.

An experimental investigation has been completed which studied the breaking of window glass by fire. The experiments were carried out in a specially designed compartment to achieve two-layer flows characteristic of normal building fires. The experimental data was collected from two test groups: the first for windows with their edges insulated from the fire (edge-protected) and the second for windows uniformly heated by the fire (edge-unprotected). The results of the edge-protected window tests indicated that the glass breakage was caused by a critical temperature difference between the central heated portion of the pane and the glass edge. The experimental work showed the critical value to be approximately 90C. After the material properties of the glass were determined, the theoretical findings of Keski-Rahkonen were used to obtain a value of 70C; the difference attributed to radiative heating. The test results also demonstrated a distinctive loss of integrity by the windows. When breakage occurred, the cracks spread throughout the glass, joined together and caused at least partial collapse of the pane. The results from the edge-unprotected window tests were quite different. There were relatively few cracks developed and almost no propagation across the glass. Consequently, there was no window collapse in any of these cases. The breakage did initiate at a consistent glass temperature value, however, the mechanism for these tests is not known. / Master of Science

M. Tech. Architecture (Professional) / This dissertation encompasses the development of a new explorative centre for public fire safety education, within the inner city of Pretoria. This centre would serve as the new Northern Gauteng public hub of the Fire Protection Association of Southern Africa (FPASA) The proposal arises from the FPASA's current expansion needs. Their existing facility, based in Boksburg, is fast becoming too small and outdated to cater for the needs of the growing industry. This new facility will function as a public fire safety information hub, dealing with various fields of fire related protection and prevention training, for both private and public participants. This could serve to equip people with the knowledge and experience needed to more adequately protect themselves, their loved ones, as well as their personal belongings from damage or destruction by fire. The site selected for this scheme is situated within the currently dormant Museum Park District of the Pretoria central business district (CBD). The site, as well as its surrounding urban environment provides unique opportunities for the development of a new public-orientated fire safety education centre, which can focus on exposure in a pedestrian rich context. The FPASA's requirements, along with the site chosen for this new facility, provide unique opportunities for the development of a new active public typology within the city. The building should evoke curiosity as well as encourage explorative socio-educational behaviour. Through architectural form, public space, and didactically based educational programmes, this new public facility should attempt to reunite the individual with the built environment, while reaching out to expose the serious issue of fire safety education.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / A theoretical and experimental treatment of fire processes in fuel-Lined, ventilated passages is presented. Initially a radially well mixed axial flow condition is considered. Experiments are first performed in non-stratified flow conditions where fire propagation and gas temperature histories are acquired from liquid and solid fuelled fires. Theory and experiment;display transient fire propagation for typical duct fire scenarios where initial fuel mass Loading is constant with respect to duct length. ( Abbreviation abstract ) / AC2017

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Architecture

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Architecture