Modeling Urban Fire Growth

Item

Title
Modeling Urban Fire Growth
Report Number
CONF-8305107, p. 176-182
Creator
Waterman, T. E.
Takata, A. N.
Corporate Author
IIT Research Institute
Laboratory
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Date
1983
Date Issued
1983-07
Extent
7
Identifier
ADA132780
Format
1 online resource (7 pages : ill.)
Abstract
Under FEMA Contract DCPAOl-79-C-2O65, IIT Research Institute (IITRI) employed existing models for debris transport and fire behavior to assess the value of existing blast/fire/people survivability data. Presentations at prior Asilomar Conferences have addressed debris transport and overviewed survivability results. The purpose of this presentation is to examine potential weaknesses of the fire spread model. The IITRI Urban Fire Spread Model as well as others of similar vintage were constrained by computer size and running costs such that many approximations/generalizations were introduced to reduce program complexity and data storage requirements. Simplifications were introduced both in input data and in fire growth and spread calculations. Modern computational capabilities offer the means to introduce greater detail and to examine its practical significance on urban fire predictions. Selected portions of the model are described as presently configured, and potential modifications are discussed. A single tract model is hypothesized which permits the importance of various model details to be assessed, and, other model applications are identified.
Description
Under FEMA Contract DCPAOl-79-C-2O65, IIT Research Institute (IITRI) employed existing models for debris transport and fire behavior to assess the value of existing blast/fire/people survivability data. Presentations at prior Asilomar Conferences have addressed debris transport and overviewed survivability results. The purpose of this presentation is to examine potential weaknesses of the fire spread model. The IITRI Urban Fire Spread Model as well as others of similar vintage were constrained by computer size and running costs such that many approximations/generalizations were introduced to reduce program complexity and data storage requirements. Simplifications were introduced both in input data and in fire growth and spread calculations. Modern computational capabilities offer the means to introduce greater detail and to examine its practical significance on urban fire predictions. Selected portions of the model are described as presently configured, and potential modifications are discussed. A single tract model is hypothesized which permits the importance of various model details to be assessed, and, other model applications are identified.
Distribution Classification
1
Distribution Conflict
No
DTIC Record Exists
No
Illinois Tech Related
Yes
Photo Quality
Not Needed
Report Availability
Full text available
Type
article
Is Part Of
Proceedings: 17th Asilomar Conference on Fire and Blast Effects of Nuclear Weapons
Item sets
Illinois Tech Related
Media
aarticle26

Export