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Interaction of Mechanical Systems with Structurally Significant Fire Events and Tunnel Fire Mitigation Optimization
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2022-09-30
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[PDF-8.16 MB]
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Edition:Final Report
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Abstract:The first section of this report numerically investigates the thermal impact of vehicle fire hazards on exposed electrical conduits in roadway tunnels. By modeling the fire and subsequent heat transfer to the conduit, the analysis results provide performance-based design guidance for allowable temperature increases before the conduit and its contents fail. The computationally efficient Confined Discretized Solid Flame (CDSF) model (previously developed by the authors) is used to calculate the heat flux imparted to the tunnel conduit from the enclosed fire. A simplified finite element model is used to calculate the subsequent thermal response of the conduit piping. Envelopes of conduit temperature increase, as well as exposure duration, are developed for a range of vehicle fire intensities that are enclosed in two- and three-lane circular tunnels. By accounting for overall traffic volume and truck traffic percentage, the limiting criteria for conduit temperature increase during standard experimental testing can be associated with a return period or a probability of exceeding an expected temperature. The second section outlines a new decision-making approach to optimize fire mitigation strategies for roadway tunnels by minimizing the initial investment and life cycle costs and maximizing the protection efficiency. First, a concrete liner damage assessment tool is developed that accounts for the use or non-use of passive fire protection and the realistic uncertainties in the thermal properties of the materials used.
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