Predicting the effects of design parameter variations on major fire spread in a tunnel

• Published in: International communications in heat and mass transfer Vol. 23; no. 4; pp. 495 - 504
• Main Authors: Beard, A.N, Drysdale, D.D., Bishop, S.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Ltd 1996; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bifurcation (mathematics); Building technical equipments; Buildings; Buildings. Public works; Combustion. Flame; Computer simulation; Computer software; Dynamics; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Fire behavior of materials and structures; Fire protection; Miscellaneous; Railroad tunnels; Structural design; Theoretical studies. Data and constants. Metering; Underwater tunnel; Non linear model; Fire; Bifurcation; Ventilation; Rail traffic; Forecast model; Flame propagation; Railway tunnel
• ISSN: 0735-1933; 1879-0178
• DOI: 10.1016/0735-1933(96)00034-6

In an earlier work a deterministic model, FIRE-SPRINT A1, which predicts the conditions for fire spread in a tunnel, has been presented. The model, based on the concepts of non-linear dynamics, may be used to predict the conditions for spread from one vehicle to another in a tunnel fire. A few illustrative simulations were given. In this communication the results of further simulations are presented; in particular, bifurcation following has been conducted for the case of fire spread from one heavy goods vehicle to another in a rail tunnel. These demonstrate further how the model may be used to identify those geometrical and thermo-physical conditions which give rise to instability and a jump. In principle, such a model may be used as an aid to design and operation for a tunnel.