Structural Fire Modeling Strategies for Exposed Mass Timber Compartments and Experimental Gaps for Model Validation
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 36, Issue 6
Abstract
Exposed mass timber is being increasingly used for tall hybrid structures due to its sustainability features, rapid construction time, and the aesthetic desire to see exposed timber. However, there are currently many knowledge gaps in timber’s performance in fire. Current prescriptive methods can be limiting, and designers are therefore required to develop alternative solutions to design tall and/or exposed timber structures. One approach that can be used to better evaluate timber’s performance in fire is numerical modeling, which is often used in synergy with some form of fire testing. The authors have reviewed literature primarily published over the last 5 years to determine the state of the art of modeling timber at elevated temperatures. Following this review, an a priori model of a cross-laminated timber (CLT) ceiling subjected to a localized fire was developed in LS-DYNA to determine what data sets are currently required to better calibrate a thermal model of timber at elevated temperatures. Data sets include the flame spread rate of CLT, the heat flux produced by CLT, charring rates at high heat fluxes, and criteria for the extinction of timber.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the contributions of ARUP in providing technical and financial support of this research. The Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada is acknowledged through its Alliance program.
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Published In
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 36 • Issue 6 • December 2022
Copyright
© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 15, 2022
Accepted: Jun 2, 2022
Published online: Aug 27, 2022
Published in print: Dec 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Jan 27, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Building materials
- Business management
- Disaster risk management
- Disasters and hazards
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering materials (by type)
- Engineering mechanics
- Fires
- Man-made disasters
- Materials engineering
- Measurement (by type)
- Models (by type)
- Numerical models
- Practice and Profession
- Structural engineering
- Structural models
- Structures (by type)
- Sustainable development
- Temperature effects
- Temperature measurement
- Thermal analysis
- Thermodynamics
- Wood and wood products
- Wood structures
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Cited by
- Shafayet Ahmed, Vineeth Dharmapalan, Ziyu Jin, A Subject Review on the Use of Mass Timber in the US Construction Industry, Construction Research Congress 2024, 10.1061/9780784485279.030, (287-295), (2024).