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