Modeling Train Fires in Fire Dynamic Simulator Melbourne, Australia Tara Barden Jason Brown Todd Hetrick

2 Overview of Project

3 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

4 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

5 Model Assessment FDS versus full scale experiment results Analyze temperature, heat flux, and pressure predictions Visually compare smoke and fire plumes

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7 FDS Results

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9 Heat Release Rate

10 Impact on Sponsor 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 CSIRO

11 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

12 Questions or Comments ?