This paper presents a critical review of research progress in modelling the structural response of polymer matrix composites exposed to fire. Models for analysing the thermal, chemical, physical, and failure processes that control the structural responses of laminates and sandwich composite materials in fire are reviewed. Models for calculating the residual structural properties of composites following fire are also described. Progress towards validation of the models by experimental characterisation of the structural properties of composites during and following fire is assessed. Deficiencies in the fire structural models are identified in the paper, which provide the focus for future research in the field.

Review of fire structural modelling of polymer composites

A thermally thick slab of polymethyl methacrylate was used to study the effects of the inclination angle of a fuel surface on upward flame spread. While investigation of upward spread over solid fuels has typically been restricted to an upright orientation, inclination of the fuel surface from the vertical is a common occurrence that has not yet been adequately addressed. By performing experiments on 10 cm wide by 20 cm tall fuel samples it was found that the maximum flame-spread rate, occurring nearly in a vertical configuration, does not correspond to the maximum fuel mass-loss rate, which occurs closer to a horizontal configuration. A detailed study of both flame spread and steady burning at different angles of inclination revealed the influence of buoyancy-induced flows in modifying heat-flux profiles ahead of the flame front, which control flame spread, and in affecting the heat flux to the burning surface of the fuel, which controls fuel mass-loss rates.

Experimental study of upward flame spread of an inclined fuel surface

This paper reveals experimentally the flame spread rate (FSR) [both upward (concurrently) and downward (opposed)] over electric wire with high thermal conductivity metal core at different inclination angles, which is new in view of that previous works about such inclination effect are mainly focusing on the material (wood, PMMA……) where the conductivity through media itself is not so important. Polyethylene (PE) insulated copper (Cu) wires with inner core diameter (dc) of 0.30 mm, 0.50 mm 0.80 mm and insulation thickness (δp) of 0.15 mm, 0.30 mm are studied with inclination angles ranged from −90° to +90°. Their behaviors are examined in both naturally normal (Hefei city with altitude of 50 m; 100 kPa) and a reduced (Lhasa city with altitude of 3650 m; 64 kPa) ambient pressure atmosphere. Results show that with increase in inclination angles from −90° to 90°, the FSR first decreases and then increases (“U” trend) with its value being lowest at nearly horizontal condition (0°) in both pressures, which is quite different from what we normally know for other materials with low thermal conductivity. Two characteristic lengths, the flame base width (Wf) and the pyrolysis zone length (Lp), are found to account for this special variation behavior with their variation trend with inclination angle being consistent with that of FSR. A simplified heat balance analysis concerning core thermal conduction effect is performed to calculate the FSR in relation to these two characteristic lengths, thermal conductivity of the metal core as well as the effective convection heating of the wire by the flame base. The calculated FSR are shown to be in fairly good agreement with the measured values at different inclination angles for different inner core (wire) diameters in both ambient pressures.

Flame spread over electric wire with high thermal conductivity metal core at different inclinations

Quantitative research on gas explosion inhibition by water mist

http://www.gollnerfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/2011_upwardspread_candf.pdf

Wei Xie

Papers

An embedded upward flame spread model using 2D direct numerical simulations