Fire-resist

Task 5.5 – Validation of the simulation concept

The performance of the simulation framework was tested in a series of validation experiments. Two intermediate-scale experimental methods, the so-called mini-furnace test (SP Fire 119) and a custom experiment in slightly larger scale, were employed in the work (Figure ). In both experiments, a planar composite specimen was exposed to simultaneous thermal and mechanical loading. The mini-furnace tests represented traditional fire-testing, whereas the custom experiment included the additional degree of freedom of fire spread. Repeated experiments were conducted on two FIRE-RESIST materials, including the carbon fibre reinforced multi-layer laminate of WP1 and the glass fibre reinforced furan laminate of WP3. Additional experiments were conducted on lightweight concrete and PMMA to gain further insight into the proper modelling of the custom set-up.

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Figure . Experimental methods employed in the validation work: (a) mini-furnace with specimen holder and specimen on top, (b) custom intermediate-scale experiment on the carbon fibre reinforced multi-layer laminate of WP1.
The validation experiments were modelled using the CFD-FEA simulation framework. Uncertainties associated with the fire simulations, and the capabilities to predict structural behaviour were studied by comparing the model predictions against the experiments (Figure -Figure ). The results indicate that, with properly configured material models, the simulation framework can be used to successfully predict the thermal and mechanical response of polymer matrix composites, until the structural deformations become considerable. The presence of a major structural deformation in the FEA analysis indicates, that the system has moved out of the applicability range of the simulation framework. In addition to providing data for model validation, the above mentioned experiments served in assessing product performance.
The validation effort on the complete simulation concept was reported in Deliverable D5.4.

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Figure . Mini-furnace experiment on the furan+glass fibre laminate: FDS simulation vs. experiments (a) and (b). The temperatures (orange and blue lines) are measured from the unexposed side of the composite specimen.

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Figure . Custom intermediate-scale experiment on the furan+glass fibre laminate: FDS simulation vs. experiment. The solid lines represent experimental results and the dashed line the corresponding FDS predictions. The temperatures are measured from the back side of the vertical specimen at different locations.

Figure . Custom intermediate-scale experiment on the furan+glass fibre laminate: FEA model vs. experiments. Deflection of the vertical laminate as a function of time.