To perform fire engineering analysis, data on how an object or group of objects burn is almost always needed. This data should be collected and stored in a logical and complete fashion to allow for meaningful analysis later. This thesis details the design of a new fire test Data Base Management System (DBMS) termed UCFIRE which was built to overcome the limitations of existing fire test DBMS and was based primarily on the FDMS 2.0 and FIREBASEXML specifications. The UCFIRE DBMS is currently the most comprehensive and extensible DBMS available in the fire engineering community and can store the following test types: Cone Calorimeter, Furniture Calorimeter, Room/Corner Test, LIFT and Ignitability Apparatus Tests. Any data reduction which is performed on this fire test data should be done in an entirely mechanistic fashion rather than rely on human intuition which is subjective. Currently no other DBMS allows for the semi-automation of the data reduction process. A number of pertinent data reduction algorithms were investigated and incorporated into the UCFIRE DBMS. An ASP.NET Web Service (WEBFIRE) was built to reduce the bandwidth required to exchange fire test information between the UCFIRE DBMS and a UCFIRE document stored on a web server. A number of Mass Loss Rate (MLR) algorithms were investigated and it was found that the Savitzky-Golay filtering algorithm offered the best performance. This algorithm had to be further modified to autonomously filter other noisy events that occurred during the fire tests. This algorithm was then evaluated on test data from exemplar Furniture Calorimeter and Cone Calorimeter tests. The LIFT test standard (ASTM E 1321-97a) requires its ignition and flame spread data to be scrutinised but does not state how to do this. To meet these requirements the fundamentals of linear regression were reviewed and an algorithm to mechanistically scrutinise ignition and flame spread data was developed. This algorithm seemed to produce reasonable results when used on exemplar ignition and flame spread test data.

No description available.

"A series of full-scale fire tests were performed, using a fire compartment and an adjoining long (30+ m) corridor, as part of an effort to quantify the dynamics associated with smoke transport within a corridor. The tests were performed at the U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center’s Fire and Safety Test Detachment in Mobile, Alabama on board the Test Vessel Mayo Lykes. The resulting empirical data was analyzed in an effort to develop a method that could be used to estimate the movement of smoke within a corridor. The objective is to potentially incorporate this method into a smoke movement analysis “tool” that could, in turn, be used in conjunction with a fire safety analysis methodology previously developed by the U.S. Coast Guard; the Ship fire Safety Engineering Methodology (SFSEM). The goal is to develop a smoke movement analysis “module” that can be utilized in conjunction with the SFSEM when conducting an overall fire safety analysis of a ship. Of particular interest is the speed at which the smoke propagates along the length of the corridor. The focus of a smoke movement module would be life safety. A conservative assumption is made that if smoke is present in sufficient quantities to fill a corridor, then the corridor is to be considered untenable and not available as a means of egress. No attempt is made to address toxicity or density issues associated with smoke. This analysis developed correlations for the corridor smoke velocity, both as a function of the heat release rate of the associated fire and the upper layer temperatures within the fire compartment. Problems associated with the data collection and the narrow range of fire sizes used had a detrimental impact on the confidence level in the correlation based on heat release rate. The data do appear to confirm the results of previous efforts that indicated a weak relationship between the heat release rate and smoke velocity, on the order of the one-third to one-fourth power. The temperature data tended to be less problematic. This correlation shows promise for potential use with both the SFSEM and other existing computer models/routines. However, unlike previous studies of this relationship, the results of these data suggest that the velocity-temperature relationship is linear and not a square-root function. The test data were compared to predictive results using the CORRIDOR routine within FPETOOL. In general, the CORRIDOR results provided a reasonable good correlation to the tests data. Both the wave depth and temperature loss within the wave, as a function of distance, were consistently over-predicted. The velocity results were mixed, but were generally within 20 percent of the test data. The results of this study show promise, with respect to developing a correlation that can be used a method for predicting smoke movement in a corridor. However, due to the questionable nature of some of the data estimates, coupled with both a lack of sufficient number of tests and a limited range of fire sizes used, additional test data will be required to further validate the accuracy and refine the correlation(s) suggested by this work."

This thesis presents the results of research on sandwich panel construction, with the aims of developing tools for modelling sandwich panel fire performance and hence to use the tools to aid the development of sandwich panel construction with improved fire resistance. The research focuses on sandwich panels made of thin steel sheeting and a polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam core. For non-loadbearing sandwich panel construction, fire resistance is measured in terms of thermal insulation and integrity only. However, these two parameters are affected by mechanical performance of sandwich panel construction due to the high distortion and large deformation nature of sandwich panel construction under fire attack. Therefore, it is necessary to consider both thermal and mechanical performances of sandwich panels under fire conditions. The work in this thesis includes development of a thermal conductivity model for PIR foam as this thermal property is one of the key values in determining heat transfer through sandwich panels; this thermal conductivity model is based on the effective thermal conductivity of porous foams proposed by Glicksman (1994) and includes the effects of polymer decomposition and increases in foam cell size. It is validated against fire tests carried out on PIR sandwich panels 80mm and 100mm thick with steel facings of thickness 0.5mm. A large 3D sequentially coupled thermal-stress model of a full scale fire test has been developed in the commercial finite element analysis (FEA) software ABAQUS to provide insight into the way sandwich panels behave in a fire resistance test and also to assess different modelling techniques. Aspects and stages of the simulation that agree well with test data are explained. Limitations of the ABAQUS software for simulating sandwich panel fire tests are highlighted; namely, it is not possible to simulate the correct radiation heat transfer through panel joints, as cavity radiation cannot be specified in a fully coupled thermal-stress analysis. Joints are key components of sandwich panel construction. In order to obtain temperature development data for modelling joints, a number of fire tests have been carried out. These fire tests were conducted with different joint configurations and panel thicknesses under realistic fire conditions using timber cribs. The joint fire tests revealed significant ablation of the foam core within the joints of sandwich panels at high temperatures. At the beginning of fire exposure, the joint temperature on the unexposed surface was lower than that on the panel due to the better insulation property of air compared to the foam. However, as the joint gap increased due to ablation of the foam, the joint temperatures became higher than in the panel. A numerical simulation model has been created to investigate this behaviour. Using the aforementioned thermal model, numerical simulations have been carried out to examine the influences of possible changes to sandwich panel design on sandwich panel construction fire performance. It was suggested that if the maximum gap in the joints can be limited to 5mm, for example, by applying intumescent coating strips within the sandwich panel joints to counter the increasing gap formed due to core ablation, then the joint temperature on the unexposed surface would not exceed that of the panel surface, hence the joint would cease to be the weak link. To increase the panel fire resistance, the use of graphite particles in the PIR foam formulation may be considered to lower the contribution of radiative heat transfer within the foam cells by reducing the transmissivity of the cell walls. Graphite particles may offer considerable increases in the thermal resistance of PIR foam at high temperatures by limiting the radiation contribution which dominates heat transfer above 300oC.

No description available.

This thesis reports on the procedure, results and analysis of four full scale fire tests that were performed at the University of Waterloo's Live Fire Research Facility. The purpose of these tests was to investigate the thermal characteristics of one room of the Burn House structure. Comparisons were made of Burn House experimental data to previous residential fire studies undertaken by researchers from the University of Waterloo. This analysis showed similarities in growth rate characteristics, illustrating that fire behaviour in the Burn House is typical of residential structure fire behaviour. The Burn House experimental data was also compared to predictions from a fire model, CFAST. Recommendations were made for future work in relation to further investigation of the fire characteristics of the Burn House.

This thesis reports on the procedure, results and analysis of four full scale fire tests that were performed at the University of Waterloo's Live Fire Research Facility. The purpose of these tests was to investigate the thermal characteristics of one room of the Burn House structure. Comparisons were made of Burn House experimental data to previous residential fire studies undertaken by researchers from the University of Waterloo. This analysis showed similarities in growth rate characteristics, illustrating that fire behaviour in the Burn House is typical of residential structure fire behaviour. The Burn House experimental data was also compared to predictions from a fire model, CFAST. Recommendations were made for future work in relation to further investigation of the fire characteristics of the Burn House.

In many tunnel designs, reinforced concrete tunnel lining design is selected based on construction requirements rather than design loads. A constant cross-section is typically used along a tunnel even if the design loads change from one location to another, especially for tunnels constructed by tunnel boring machines (TBM). Factor of safety against failure is not constant along the length of tunnel and is typically high at shallow depth regions. Factor of safety during a rare event is usually much less than the ones set for service load states. Rare events such as earthquake, train derailment, explosion and long duration fires do not happen daily and generally a minor reparable damage is targeted at the structure during those types of events. The focus of this study is to analytically investigate structural fire safety of reinforced concrete circular tunnel linings in terms of reduction in service load safety and to develop recommendations for preliminary assessment of structural fire endurance of circular tunnel linings. Analytical methods accounting for thermal non-linearity, material degradation, tunnel lining-ground interaction and fire time stages are available to assess the structural fire safety of the concrete tunnel linings. Analytical results are determined to be in good agreement with tunnel key segment hydrocarbon fire test.

The most important issue during a tunnel fire is safety of human life. The tunnel fire structural research and investigations have gained more importance in the last decade but studies show variable results depending on the concrete quality and tunnel design fire. For instance, a certain type of concrete with high moisture content can tend to explode in the first 10-15 minutes of fire with rapid increase of heat release rate. A sudden collapse of the tunnel roof during the fire is unacceptable. Especially in Netherlands, the possible sagging of cut and cover tunnel roof is undesired and prevention systems are applied. The main purpose of this research is to investigate fire response of the positive moment region of cut and cover tunnel roof through an experimental and analytical program without use of any protection. In this context a standard one cell rail road cut and cover tunnel has been designed for loads of backfill, lateral earth pressure and self weight. The typical concrete cover used in Turkish railroad tunnels is 6 centimeters. Four pairs of representative sample tunnel roof segments have been manufactured and only one segment out of each pair are tested under 2 hours extreme design tunnel fire in a furnace. Out of these four types, two types have been internally pre-stressed to simulate the internal loads at the positive moment region of the tunnel roof. Four pairs of sample segments are simply supported during the static load test and static load is applied at the mid-span to measure the difference in the post-fire structural performance. Compressive strength of concrete, tensile strength of reinforcing bars, electron microscope evaluation of concrete, moisture content of concrete are recorded during the test program. A finite element based solution is developed to simulate the results of static load tests. Post-fire structural performances of burnt segments are observed to be not much different than the unburnt segments.

Climate change and its accompanying environmental issues have caused the building industry to use more environmentally friendly building materials. Wood have always been a buildingmaterial but due to the renewed interest in imparting sustainability and renewability, its usage has increased over the recent years. With a rising interest in wood, it is of great importance to enhance the knowledge of its burning behaviour in order to predict and prevent fire hazards. Fire development is often characterized in terms of heat release rate (HRR) as a function oftime. Therefore, HRR is considered one of the most important variables in the evaluation of material fire hazards. This study aims to generate greater knowledge of the HRR curve of wood when exposed to heating in the cone calorimeter and how the curve can be described quantitatively. Furthermore, it was attempted to comprehend the properties and functions of char and its effects on HRR during combustion. The study is based on laboratory tests carried out with a cone calorimeter and a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The cone calorimeter was set to generate a heat flux of 35 kWm-2. Spruce wood samples of three thicknesses were analysed, namely 10, 20 and 30mm. The samples were assembled with one of three types of material on the rear side of the samples, which were Kaowool, steel plates and aluminium foil wrapped around wood. The different materials were used as they are greatly dissimilar in their thermal properties. Wood with both low and normal moisture content was also analysed. Char was analysed with SEM. The results show that there are four major points of interest in the HRR curve of wood. The first point is the initial peak heat release rate (PHRR) that occurs when the sample surface ignites causing great production of heat which increases the HRR. The second point of interest is the vast decrease in HRR soon after the first PHRR, this is due to char formation, which acts as a protective barrier preventing the exchange of volatile gases and oxygen. The third point of interest is a second PHRR close to the end of the combustion that occurs as a response to sample burn through, which means that the heat gradient reaches the rear side of the sample. The second PHRR is highly dependent on the boundary condition defined by the rear material, which determines the heat losses at the rear side of the specimen, and consequently the temperature of the specimen. The higher is the specimen temperature, the higher is the pyrolysis rate, and therefore also the higher the second PHRR. Moreover, high moisture content delays the time of occurrence of the second PHRR as more water needs to undergo phase change, which requires a high amount of energy. The final point of interest is the final decrease in HRR as a result of fuel depletion leading to the sample smouldering or the fire being extinguished. Char, formed by mainly lignin and some cellulose in wood, affects the overall HRR. The SEM analysis showed that the char cracks grew wider during the second PHRR. It is, however, observed that char cracking has no significance in the time of occurrence of the second PHRR as this is based on sample burn through, and it was difficult to determine to what extent char cracking affected the intensity of the PHRR. This systematic study is considered adequate to justify the research questions and aim of this study. It has also created new questions for further study in the area as well as provided a deeper understanding of the fundamental burning behaviour of wood. / Klimatförändringen och dess medföljande miljöfrågor har fått byggbranschen att använda mer hållbara och miljövänliga byggmaterial. Trä har alltid varit ett byggmaterial men på grund av ett förnyat intresse för hållbarhet och förnybarhet har användningen av materialet ökat under de senaste åren. Med ett stigande intresse för trä är det av stor vikt att öka kunskapen om dess förbränningsbeteende för att kunna förutse och förebygga brandrisker. Brandutveckling karakteriseras ofta i termer av värmeavgivningshastighet (HRR) som funktion av tid. Det är därför en av de viktigaste variablerna i utvärderingen av brandrisker. Denna studie syftar till att skapa större kunskap om HRR-kurvan för trä när det utsätts för värme i konkalorimetern och hur kurvan kan beskrivas kvantitativt. Vidare, att studera kollagrets egenskaper och funktioner samt hur det påverkar HRR under förbränning. Studien bygger på laborativa försök utförda med en konkalorimeter och ett svepelektronmikroskop (SEM). Konkalorimetern genererade strålning med intensitet 35 kWm-2. Tre tjocklekar av granprover testades, 10, 20 och 30 mm. Proverna placerades ovanpå en av tre typer av material i en provform, Kaowool, stålplattor och trä invirat i aluminiumfolie. Materialen användes då deras termiska egenskaper skiljer sig åt. Vidare testades även trä av både låg och normal fukthalt. Kollagret analyserades med SEM. Resultatet visar att det finns fyra intressanta områden på HRR-kurvan för trä. Det första är den initiala maximala värmeavgivningshastigheten (PHRR) som inträffar när provytan antänder vilket orsakar en stor värmeproduktion som ökar HRR. Det andra är en kraftig minskning av HRR strax efter den första PHRR. Detta beror på att kol börjat bildas på provytan, kollagret fungerar som en skyddande barriär som förhindrar utbyte av flyktiga gaser och syre. Det tredje är en andra PHRR som inträffar nära brandprovets slut. Detta sker till följd av provkroppsgenombränning som innebär att värmegradienten når provets baksida. Intensitetenav PHRR är starkt beroende av materialet bakom provet. Det bestämmer värmeförlusten på provets baksida och därmed även provkroppens temperatur. Ju högre provkroppstemperaturenär, desto högre är pyrolyshastigheten vilket leder till en högre andra PHRR. Hög fukthalt fördröjer även tidpunkten för uppkomsten av den andra PHRR eftersom fasomvandling av vatten kräver en stor mängd energi. Det sista och fjärde området av intresse är en minskning av HRR efter den andra PHRR, detta sker när allt bränsle förbränts och det som kvarstår är endast ett glödande prov. Kollagret, som främst bildas av lignin och en del cellulosa i träet, påverkar den totala HRR. SEM-analysen visade att sprickorna i kollagret blev bredare under den andra PHRR. Däremot observerades det att sprickbildningen inte har någon betydelse för tidpunkten av den andra PHRR uppkomst då denna enbart är baserad på provets genombränning. Det är även svårt att avgöra i vilken utsträckning sprickbildningen påverkar intensiteten av PHRR. Metoden som används för att besvara frågeställningarna och syftet anses vara adekvat. Studien har öppnat upp för ytterligare frågeställningar och idéer till fortsatta försök inom området. Vidare har även studien gett en djupare förståelse om förbränningsbeteendet av trä.