Modeling Train Fires in
Fire Dynamic Simulator
Melbourne, Australia
Tara Barden
Jason Brown
Todd Hetrick
Overview of Project
2
Objectives
• Develop a passenger train car model to
predict total HRR (heat release rate)
• Design a modifiable model for use in future
simulations
• Gain an understanding of material properties
and fire involvement
3
The Approach
• Obtain an understanding of FDS software
• Knowledge of full scale experiment
• Make the FDS model of the train compartment
–Ignition source
–Fuel properties
–Geometry
–Instruments
• Run simulations to analyze model
4
Model Assessment
FDS versus full scale experiment
results
• Analyze temperature, heat flux, and
pressure predictions
• Visually compare smoke and fire
plumes
5
6
FDS Results
Door 'A' - CSIRO vs. FDS
(Temperature vs. Time)
1200
1000
FDS (DA1)
800
Temp(C)
FDS (DA5)
FDS (DA9)
FDS (DA12)
600
CSIRO (DA1)
CSIRO (DA5)
CSIRO (DA9)
400
CSIRO (DA12)
200
0
0
200
400
600
800
Tim e (s)
1000
1200
1400
1600
7
FDS Results
Thermocouple Rake 'B' - CSIRO vs. FDS
(Temperature vs. Time)
1400
1200
1000
FDS (B1)
Temp(C)
FDS (B3)
FDS (B6)
800
FDS (B9)
CSIRO (B1)
600
CSIRO (B3)
CSIRO (B5)
CSIRO (B9)
400
200
0
0
200
400
600
800
Tim e (s)
1000
1200
1400
1600
8
Heat Release Rate
Heat Loss from FDS Environment vs. Time
9000
8000
7000
Heat Flux (kW)
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
Tim e (s)
9
Impact on Sponsor
CSIRO
• Currently using this FDS model with some
modifications of material properties
• Another WPI-MQP group has continued this
project to make improvements with material
modeling
10
Personal & Professional Growth
•
•
•
•
Amazing opportunity to travel to Australia
Appreciation for different cultures
Experience working and living with students
Great introduction to fire modeling as an
undergraduate student
• advantage with graduate
level courses
11
Questions or Comments ?
12