Numerical analysis of combined buoyancy-induced and pressure-driven smoke flow in complex vertical shafts during building fires

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the behavior of smoke flow in building fires and optimize the design of smoke control systems. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 435 3-D fire simulations were conducted through NIST fire dynamics simulator to analyze thermal behavior of combined buoyancy-induced and pressure-driven smoke flow in complex vertical shafts, under consideration of influence of heat release rate (HRR) and locations of heat sources. This influence was evaluated through neutral pressure plane (NPP), which is a critical plane depicting the flow velocity distributions. Hot smoke flows out of shafts beyond the NPP and cold air flows into shafts below the NPP. Findings – Numerical simulation results show that HRR of heat source has little influence on NPP, while location of heat source can make a significant difference to NPP, particularly in cases of multi-heat source. Identifying the location of NPP helps to develop a more effective way to control the smoke with less energy con...

[1]  Peng Zhang,et al.  An overview of heat transfer near the liquid–gas critical point under the influence of the piston effect: Phenomena and theory , 2013 .

[2]  D. E. Beasley,et al.  On stairwell and elevator shaft pressurization for smoke control in tall buildings , 2009 .

[3]  Doosam Song,et al.  A study on the development and application of the E/V shaft cooling system to reduce stack effect in high-rise buildings , 2010 .

[4]  S. Asghar,et al.  Buoyancy‐driven flow of a viscous incompressible fluid in an open‐ended rectangular cavity with permeable horizontal surfaces , 2010 .

[5]  Kevin B. McGrattan,et al.  Fire dynamics simulator (ver-sion 3) technical reference guide , 2001 .

[6]  Chung-Hwei Su,et al.  Stack effect of smoke for an old-style apartment in Taiwan , 2011 .

[7]  W. Z. Black,et al.  Smoke movement in elevator shafts during a high-rise structural fire , 2009 .

[8]  Glenn P. Forney,et al.  Fire Dynamics Simulator (Version 2) -- Technical Reference Guide | NIST , 2001 .

[9]  A. Fernandez-Pello,et al.  Understanding ambient pressure effects on piloted ignition through numerical modeling , 2012 .

[10]  Kevin B. McGrattan,et al.  Fire Dynamics Simulator (Version 5): User's Guide , 2007 .

[11]  Chungsik Yoon,et al.  Determination of the applicable exhaust airflow rate through a ventilation shaft in the case of road tunnel fires , 2010 .

[12]  Baizhan Li,et al.  A model for analysis of convection induced by stack effect in a shaft with warm airflow expelled from adjacent space , 2013 .

[13]  R. Huo,et al.  Mechanical Smoke Exhaust for Small Retail Shop Fires , 2004 .

[14]  Guan Heng Yeoh,et al.  Fire and smoke distribution in a two‐room compartment structure , 2002 .

[15]  Y. Jaluria,et al.  BASIC CONSIDERATIONS IN COMBINED BUOYANCY-INDUCED AND FORCED FLOW IN A VERTICAL OPEN SHAFT , 1998 .

[16]  Yunzhu Li,et al.  Experimental Studies on a Rise-Time of Smoke Layer Interface in Vertical Shaft , 2011 .

[17]  Yew Khoy Chuah,et al.  A study on the spread of fire caused by the stack effects of patio—A computer modeling and a reconstruction of a fire scenario , 2012 .

[18]  Subhash C. Mishra,et al.  Analysis of a Localized Fire in a 3-D Tunnel Using a Hybrid Solver: Lattice Boltzmann Method, Finite-Volume Method, and Fully Explicit Upwind Scheme , 2008 .

[19]  R. Huo,et al.  An investigation on spill plume development and natural filling in large full-scale atrium under retail shop fire , 2007 .

[20]  George Hadjisophocleous,et al.  Comparison of FDS Prediction of Smoke Movement in a 10-Storey Building with Experimental Data , 2009 .

[21]  Leonard Y. Cooper,et al.  Simulating smoke movement through long vertical shafts in zone-type compartment fire models , 1998 .

[22]  Liangzhu Wang,et al.  An analytical model of heat and mass transfer through non-adiabatic high-rise shafts during fires , 2014 .

[23]  O. Manca,et al.  Turbulent mixed convection in a uniformly heated vertical channel with an assisting moving surface , 2013 .

[24]  Yew Khoy Chuah,et al.  A study on underground tunnel ventilation for piston effects influenced by draught relief shaft in subway system , 2008 .

[25]  Wan Ki Chow,et al.  A theoretical model to predict plume rise in shaft generated by growing compartment fire , 2011 .

[26]  John H. Klote,et al.  Elevator piston effect and the smoke problem , 1986 .

[27]  Wan Ki Chow,et al.  Scale modeling studies on stack effect in tall vertical shafts , 2011 .

[28]  Wan Ki Chow,et al.  Scale Modelling Studies on Smoke Movement in Vertical Shafts of Tall Buildings , 2007 .

[29]  J. Y. Zhang,et al.  A new model for determining neutral-plane position in shaft space of a building under fire situation , 2008 .

[30]  Hiroomi Satoh,et al.  Fire properties in near field of square fire source with longitudinal ventilation in tunnels , 2003 .

[31]  Glenn P. Forney,et al.  Fire Dynamics Simulator (Version 3): User's Guide (NISTIR 6784) | NIST , 2001 .

[32]  C. Gutiérrez-Montes,et al.  On the fluid dynamics of the make-up inlet air and the prediction of anomalous fire dynamics in a large-scale facility , 2012 .

[33]  Yang Dong.  Model for Neutral-Plane Location in Shaft in Fire , 2011 .

[34]  Gong Yan-feng,et al.  Full-scale experimental study on smoke flow in natural ventilation road tunnel fires with shafts , 2009 .

[35]  Jen-Hao Chi,et al.  Reconstruction of an Inn Fire Scene Using the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) Program , 2013, Journal of forensic sciences.

[36]  Brian J. Williamson,et al.  A CFD Study of Hong Kong Refuge Floor Design: Floor Height Effect , 2010 .

[37]  Y. Jaluria,et al.  GENERATION OF STABLE THERMAL STRATIFICATION IN A PARTIALLY ENCLOSED SPACE DUE TO A ROOM FIRE , 1996 .