No description available.

Some concern has been expressed that the load capacity of corner columns might be reduced in fire due to the expansion of unprotected fire-exposed connected beams, even through the columns themselves are protected from fire. A structural analysis program VULCAN has been used to perform a series of parametric studies on corner sub-frames. In order to obtain the best possible representation of the column cross- section, the formulation of beam-column elements was developed to allow the cross- section to be divided into large numbers of segments. The analyses indicate that the existing fire design codes, such as BS5950: Part 8, give an un-conservative result. The finite element method is shown to be capable of modelling this type of sub- frame, but is too complex to be used routinely. As an alternative, a generalised simplified approach to enable a rapid assessment of the sub-frame by hand or spreadsheet calculation has been developed. The results, in comparison with the finite element analyses, give some confidence in the use of this approach. The beam-column elements of the program VULCAN were further developed to model the three-dimensional behaviour of asymmetric steel beams for fire conditions. The general approach, including the principles and details of the modifications to the formulation for asymmetric cross-sections, together with the refinement of the cross- section, are presented. The modified program has been validated by comparison with classical analytical results and test results at ambient and high temperatures. A new generalised beam model has been developed, which can model not only reinforced concrete sections but also steel sections of different shapes including hollow sections, for three-dimensional composite structures at ambient and high temperatures. The method currently includes both geometrical and material non linearities and considers the cracking and crushing of concrete. Several material models have been included, especially for concrete in tension which shows significant effects on the results. The thermal expansion and degradation of both steel and concrete materials with elevated temperatures are also included. The cross- section is divided into an appropriate number of segments so that non-uniform temperature profiles, and variations of strain and stress across the section, can be represented with more accuracy. The formulation is used to further develop the program VULCAN, and is then validated by comparison with theoretical and experimental results.

No description available.

Full-scale experiments are conducted to study the effects of different water-based indirect and combination initial attack methods on the compartment environment and firefighter during compartment fire suppression, with an aim toward improving manual fire suppression effectiveness and firefighter safety. Hot layer temperatures typical of room fire conditions are developed in the test compartment using wood cribs. Five suppression methods including straight stream, penciling, continuous wide and narrow fog, and a wide angle burst method are examined for two different spray angles and nozzle pressures. Temperatures, heat flux, gas velocity, and gas concentrations are monitored for the duration of each experiment in the fire compartment, along with temperatures and gas concentrations in the area of the firefighter, just outside the compartment. Realistic fire conditions are repeatedly established in the test compartment, with each fuel load allowing up to nine suppression applications per fire. The repeatability of the compartment temperatures are demonstrated by the consistent hot layer temperature stratification in the room, along with the uniformity of the hot layer throughout a test, and the consistency of the temperature from test to test. The repeatability of each suppression method is also demonstrated by comparing results of compartment cooling achieved in repeat tests. Differences in average compartment temperature before and during suppression indicate that penciling tactics provide little cooling of the compartment. In narrow fog attacks, the hot layer is pushed toward the floor, resulting in increased temperatures in the lower layer, generally an undesired result. Wide angle fog methods may have greater impact on compartment temperature as compared to straight stream or narrow fog methods, however, they also result in large increases in temperature at the firefighter. Wide angle burst tactics less effectively cool the compartment gases than continuous methods, but also lead to less impact on the firefighter. Greater numbers of bursts increase cooling of the compartment, but at the expense of increased impact on the firefighter. Including impact on the firefighter, continuous straight stream methods, at a nozzle discharge pressure of 700 kPa and aimed to the top of the rear compartment wall, appear the best choice for initial attack on the fire developed in these experiments. Due to variability between real fire scenarios and experiments such as these, significantly more study of the various suppression tactics is required before the most effective methods of suppression can be determined for a given set of fire scenarios.

Thesis (M.A.)--Naval Postgraduate School, 2004. / Title from title page of source document (viewed on April 23, 2008). "Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited." Includes bibliographical references (p. 73-74).

Diss. Göteborg : Univ., 2002. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - James Cook University, 2004. / Typescript (photocopy) Bibliography: leaves 186-214.

Thesis--University of Missouri, School of Mines and Metallurgy, 1877. / Jas. A. Pack determined to be James A. Pack from "1874-1999 MSM-UMR Alumni Directory". The entire thesis text is included in file. Holograph [Handwritten and illustrated in entirety by author]. Title from title screen of thesis/dissertation PDF file (viewed October 29, 2008)

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Deakin University, Victoria, 1990. / Submitted to the Dept. of Biological Sciences of the School of Sciences, Deakin University. Appendices are separately published papers. Bibliography: leaves 274-302.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri, School of Mines and Metallurgy, 1900. / The entire thesis text is included in file. Typescript. Title from title screen of thesis/dissertation PDF file (viewed Nov. 14, 2008).