Structural Fire Engineering research at the University of Ulster
has developed three significant and complementary areas.
The principal thrust is the experimental evaluation of the
structural behaviour in fire of a variety of materials and
structural assemblies. The focus is on the principal building
materials i.e. steel, concrete and brickwork.
The recent provision of a unique 125 tonne loading capacity
large-scale furnace and the large burn hall at FireSERT now enables
ongoing structural fire research of larger beams; columns; walls,
floor slabs and combinations of structural components.
The Second Thrust is the study of the correlation between
thermo-structural response and the quantification of thermal
onslaught and transmission, seeking definitions of fire severity on
structures. Fire testing studies examined furnace severity on both
the large scale and indicative furnaces at FireSERT, complying with
European Standards, enable direct correlation to end user needs.
In recent years Structural Fire Engineering research at Ulster has
examined furnace severity in detail resulted in the developing of a
"steel billet" heat flux meter, to measure heat flux in real and
standard fires.
FireSERT's unique data was used by British Steel to press the UK
case regarding the plate thermometer in European harmonisation
debates. FireSERT possess the only heat flux-time curves for the
Cardington LBTF full scale compartment fire tests and the NFSC2
compartment tests.
The Third Thrust is the development of a
Finite Element Model for Structures in Buildings and underground
Tunnels in fire conditions. Finite Element Analysis is an advanced
computational technique that assesses the non-linear behaviour of
structures in fire. The analysis allows the structure to be tailored
to achieve the required fire resistance periods with the minimum
fire protection
Benefits
This latest research knowledge combined with the most cutting
edge technology is used to achieve the following objectives:
Optimising the passive fire protection with a considerable
cost-saving.
Analyse buildings and tunnels for extreme events.
Structural optimisation in fire condition
Introduce innovative fire safety
solutions using performance-based approach.
Recent Research projects: Performance of
Composite Cellular Steel Beams in Fires EPSRC Grant 2008-2011: £410,000
Despite the current popularity of long-span composite flooring
systems, current structural fire engineering design codes EC 3/4
Part 1.2 and BS5950 Part 8 do not contain rules or guidance on the
fire resistance of composite floors employing cellular steel beams.
The availability of sound design guidance on composite floors using
steel CBs exposed to fire would make it possible to calculate fire
protection requirements on a rational and trustworthy basis which
does not exist at present, and would lead to possible worldwide
export opportunities for UK consultants.
http://www.theengineer.co.uk/Articles/301348/Fiery+research.htm
European Research FundingFire Resistance of Long Span Cellular
Beams Made of Rolled Profiles (FICEB)
As the span increases, the beam depth will also increase which,
in turn, can lead to increased storey heights. The use of cellular
beams (CB) largely overcomes this problem because ducts, pipes and
other services can pass through the openings in the web.
1.6 million Euro Shared between six partners:
1-Ulster University (UK), 2- Liege University (Belgium),3-Westok Ltd
(UK), 4-CTICM (France), 5-ARCELOR Metal (Luxembourg), 6- SCI (UK)
Spalling of concrete in Fire: NI Invest Ireland £114,000
Explosive spalling is one of the most hazardous phenomena of
concrete behaviour during fire. The research in this area aims to
study the explosive spalling of concrete and the effect of different
parameters including loads, restraint, moisture content and heating
rate. The group is very active in introducing novel methods to
reduce explosive spalling of concrete. The work involves both of
normal and high strength concrete in tunnels, slabs, beams and
columns
Fire Performance of steel frame Designed for Belfast Bonfire
Beacon
A purpose-built steel frame, designed to be used for a Belfast
Bonfire Beacon in Northern Ireland, was tested against fire. The
frame is composed of three parts such a top pyramid (W 2520mm × D
2520mm × H 3847mm), a base support structure (W 2570mm × D 2570mm)
and a box shape of base container (W 2520mm × D 2520mm × H 1335mm).
The outer surface of steel frame the structure is covered by welled
steel mesh sheets to contain the flammable materials. In order to
ignite a fire, there are a horizontal inner mesh funnel in the base
container and a vertical funnel in the top pyramid.
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are prefabricated insulated
structural elements for use in building walls, ceilings, floors, and
roofs. They provide superior and uniform insulation compared to more
traditional construction methods (stud or "stick frame"), offering
energy savings of 12%–14%. When installed properly, SIPs also
provide a more airtight dwelling, which makes a house more
comfortable and quieter.
Fire safety is a common concern about using SIPs. However, when
the interior of the SIP is covered with a fire-rated material, such
as gypsum board, it protects the SIP facing and foam long enough to
give building occupants a good measure of escape time.
The Structural Fire Engineering Current Principal Research
Programmes Focus On:
Fire behaviour of compartment masonry walls in buildings
Fire Passive Protection for: 1- Steel Buildings,
2-repair/Strengthening Structures in Buildings.
Performance of Slim floor and cellular composite floor beams
in fire situations
Fire Performance of FRP in Reinforced Concrete Structures
Numerical modelling of the thermal impact of fire on
structural materials
Fire resistance of repaired concrete building structures.
Fire performance of shear walls in the stability of tall
buildings
Fire resistance of high strength concrete columns, beams and
slabs with reference to spalling.
Establishing comparative fire severity norms between real and
standard fires using heat flux measurement.
