Analysis of Zone Fire Models and their Application in Structural Fire Design

Abstract:

This paper is focused on a comparison of zone fire modelling software tools and their application in structural fire design. The analysis of the zone models is performed for five selected computer programs, namely Argos, Branzfire, B-RISK, CFAST, and OZone. The limits and input parameters ofthe zone fire modelling software tools are described. In each software, two variants of the analysed compartment are created for simulating two types of fire scenario, including the fuel-controlled fire and the ventilation-controlled fire. The burning regimes are defined based on two heat release rate(HRR) curves, determined according to EN 1991-1-2. The HRR curves parameters are used as the main input data into the fire modelling software. The fire simulation method in each fire modelling software is selected based on the software capabilities. Although each program requires a different amount of input parameters, the aim was to create the same model in all programs and to compare the results. The fire modelling software outputs are exported into a spreadsheet. Subsequently, a comparison of the resulting graphs is performed, particularly the heat release rate graphs and the upper layertemperature evolution graphs. The fire resistance assessment of a simply-supported concrete slab panel is performed for all zone fire models and then the results are compared. The fire modelling software tools are finally quantitatively and qualitatively evaluated and compared to assess their differences.

• Periodical: Solid State Phenomena (Volume 322)
• Pages: 127-135
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/SSP.322.127
• Online since: August 2021
• Authors: Nicole Svobodová*, Martin Benýšek, Radek Štefan
• Keywords: Concrete, Enclosure Fire, Fire Modelling Software, Fire Resistance, Heat Release Rate, Zone Fire Model

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