Title

The Large Urban Fire Environment: Trends And Model City Predictions

Report Number

CONF-8305107, p. 78-84

Creator

Larson, D. A.

Small, R. D.

Corporate Author

Pacific-Sierra Research Corporation

Laboratory

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Date

1983

Date Issued

1983-07

Extent

7

Identifier

ADA132780

Format

1 online resource (7 pages : ill.)

Abstract

The urban fire environment that would result from a megaton-yield nuclear weapon burst is considered. The dependence of temperatures and velocities on fire size, burning intensity, turbulence, and radiation is explored, and specific calculations for three model urban areas are presented. In all cases, high velocity fire winds are predicted. The model-city results show the influence of building density and urban sprawl on the fire environment. Additional calculations consider large-area fires with the burning intensity reduced in a blast-damaged urban center.

Description

The urban fire environment that would result from a megaton-yield nuclear weapon burst is considered. The dependence of temperatures and velocities on fire size, burning intensity, turbulence, and radiation is explored, and specific calculations for three model urban areas are presented. In all cases, high velocity fire winds are predicted. The model-city results show the influence of building density and urban sprawl on the fire environment. Additional calculations consider large-area fires with the burning intensity reduced in a blast-damaged urban center.

Distribution Classification

1

Distribution Conflict

No

DTIC Record Exists

No

Illinois Tech Related

No

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