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1 – 10 of 243Amit Chandra, Anjan Bhowmick and Ashutosh Bagchi
The study investigates the performance of a three-story unprotected steel moment-resisting frame (SMRF) designed for high seismic demand in the fire-only (FO) and post-earthquake…
Abstract
Purpose
The study investigates the performance of a three-story unprotected steel moment-resisting frame (SMRF) designed for high seismic demand in the fire-only (FO) and post-earthquake uniform and traveling fires (PEF). The primary objective is to investigate the effects of seismic residual deformation on the structure's performance in horizontally traveling fires. The traveling fire methodology, unlike conventional fire models, considers a spatially varying temperature environment.
Design/methodology/approach
Multi-step finite element simulations were carried out on undamaged and damaged frames to provide insight into the effects of the earthquake-initiated fires on the local and global behavior of SMRF. The earthquake simulations were conducted using nonlinear time history analysis, whereas the structure in the fire was investigated by sequential thermal-structural analysis procedure in ABAQUS. The frame was subjected to a suite of seven ground motions. In total, four horizontal traveling fire sizes were considered along with the Eurocode (EC) parametric fire for a comparison. The deformation history, axial force and moment variation in the critical beams and columns of affected compartments in the fire heating and cooling regimes were examined. The global structural performance in terms of inter-story drifts in FO and PEF scenarios was investigated.
Findings
It was observed that the larger traveling fires (25 and 48%) are more detrimental to the case study frame than the uniform EC parametric fire. Besides, no appreciable difference was observed in time and modes of failure of the structure in FO and PEF scenarios within the study's parameters.
Originality/value
The present study considers improved traveling fire methodology as an alternate design fire for the first time for the PEF performance of SMRF. The analysis results add to the much needed database on structures' performance in a wide range of fire scenarios.
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In fire safety engineering, the ISO standard fire often represents fire action. Nevertheless, it is often not clear how conservative the ISO standard fire is when compared to…
Abstract
In fire safety engineering, the ISO standard fire often represents fire action. Nevertheless, it is often not clear how conservative the ISO standard fire is when compared to natural fires. Thus, numerical research on fires in office buildings was conducted. To assess the severity of the ISO standard fire, the author proposes a simple approach basing on the heat release rate. For two regarded office rooms, artificial heat release curves were established and used as input in the zone model ‘Ozone’. These heat release curves were adjusted in order to match gas temperatures defined by the ISO standard fire. Integration of these curves allows for determining the total energy released by the fire. If this energy is related to the compartment area, it becomes possible to compare the ISO standard fire to natural fires. Results from the limited investigations show that the ISO standard fire becomes more conservative for longer fire duration and that it is quite realistic for offices with moderate opening factors and fire durations of 60 min at most. Contrary, the ISO standard fire tends to be very conservative for offices with higher opening factors.
Considers aspects of the requirements of the current building regulations as they relate to fire design and fire safety. Reviews the requirements of Part B in respect of occupancy…
Abstract
Considers aspects of the requirements of the current building regulations as they relate to fire design and fire safety. Reviews the requirements of Part B in respect of occupancy and travel distances. States that research would suggest that a designer may be required to provide additional escape facilities in one part of the country and not in another and that research would suggest that scope for flexibility is significant.
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J. Matt Switzer, Dawn Teuscher and Daniel Siebert
To share activities to support preservice secondary mathematics teachers’ (PSMTs) participation questioning discourse, which consists of (a) modeling and engaging students in…
Abstract
Purpose
To share activities to support preservice secondary mathematics teachers’ (PSMTs) participation questioning discourse, which consists of (a) modeling and engaging students in mathematical discourse and activity, and (b) supporting and assessing students’ development of conceptual understanding.
Methodology/approach
PSMTs typically struggle to develop fluency in participation questioning discourse, despite having it modeled for them by expert teachers in mathematics education courses. Using Gee’s Discourse Theory to conceptualize this problem, we developed the iterative model of See it, Try it and Reflect on it (STaR) to create learning activities in a methods course that engage PSMTs in viewing and reflecting on videotaped mathematics lessons.
Findings
PSMTs increased their fluency in participation questioning discourse through viewing and reflecting on videotaped lessons using the STaR iterative model.
Practical implications
The STaR model is a promising framework that can be used to design learning activities to help preservice and inservice teachers acquire fluency in discipline-specific pedagogical Discourses.
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R.M.D.I.M. Rathnayake, P. Sridarran and M.D.T.E. Abeynayake
The total essence of apparel manufacturing buildings (AMBs) is highly influenced by fire incidents which are caused direct or indirect impacts to the present building structure or…
Abstract
Purpose
The total essence of apparel manufacturing buildings (AMBs) is highly influenced by fire incidents which are caused direct or indirect impacts to the present building structure or even in old age. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate the fire risk of AMBs in Sri Lanka.
Design/methodology/approach
A literature review was conducted to explore the local and international fire incidents in AMBs and identify 24 factors that contribute to fire risk of AMBs. A questionnaire survey with professionals who have the knowledge and experience related to past fire incidents and 18 interviews with professionals of fire safety management were carried out. Content analysis was involved to evaluate interviewees’ opinions and relative importance index was involved to rank identified factors that contribute to the fire risk of AMBs.
Findings
The results revealed that due to the business nature of AMBs hold a high risk for fire incidents. The study discovered 83.4% of high fire risk prevailing in AMBs in Sri Lanka. Faulty wiring, welding work with electrical sparks and accumulation of waste fabric, paper and other garbage recognized as the top three factors that contribute to the fire risk of AMBs in Sri Lanka. Finally, the strategies proposed to eliminate identified all 41 factors that contribute to the fire risk of AMBs in Sri Lanka.
Originality/value
The paper helps to guide facility owners regarding the fire safety of AMBs in Sri Lanka.
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The purpose of this paper is to investigate the challenges faced by occupants and fire fighters during evacuation and rescue operations in high‐rise buildings.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the challenges faced by occupants and fire fighters during evacuation and rescue operations in high‐rise buildings.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper has analysed the published literature for the purpose of identifying and examining the factors that make high‐rise buildings a high‐risk type of facility to fire and the common avenues of fire spread in high‐rise buildings. The paper then investigates a number of evacuation strategies in high‐rise buildings and the set of human factors affecting high‐rise evacuations. It also discusses the challenges that building occupants and fire departments face during a fire emergency.
Findings
The paper has established that high‐rise buildings are a high‐risk type of facility in fire emergencies due to a combination of three risk factors. The characteristics of the occupants to consider when designing the means of escape were identified, and the challenges faced by fire fighters during rescue operation in high‐rise fires were classified under five main categories.
Originality/value
The paper provides for an exchange of knowledge, thus facilitating a better comprehension of the roles of designers, building services engineers, facility managers and professionals in safety in the provision and maintenance of safety systems in high‐rise buildings.
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Mhd Anwar Orabi, Jin Qiu, Liming Jiang and Asif Usmani
Reinforced concrete slabs in fire have been heavily studied over the last three decades. However, most experimental and numerical work focuses on long-duration uniform exposure to…
Abstract
Purpose
Reinforced concrete slabs in fire have been heavily studied over the last three decades. However, most experimental and numerical work focuses on long-duration uniform exposure to standard fire. Considerably less effort has been put into investigating the response to localised fires that result in planarly non-uniform temperature distribution in the exposed elements.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the OpenSees for Fire framework for modelling slabs under non-uniform fire exposure is presented, verified against numerical predictions by Abaqus and then validated against experimental tests. The thermal wrapper developed within OpenSees for Fire is then utilised to apply localised fire exposure to the validated slab models using the parameters of an experimentally observed localised fire. The effect of the smoke layer is also considered in this model and shown to significantly contribute to the thermal and thus thermo-mechanical response of slabs. Finally, the effect of localised fire heat release rate (HRR) and boundary conditions are studied.
Findings
The analysis showed that boundary conditions are very important for the response of slabs subject to localised fire, and expansive strains may be accommodated as deflections without severely damaging the slab by considering the lateral restraint.
Originality/value
This work demonstrates the capabilities of OpenSees for Fire in modelling structural behaviours subjected to non-uniform fire conditions and investigates the damage pattens of flat slabs exposed to localised fires. It is an advancing step towards understanding structural responses to realistic fires.
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Antonio C. Caputo, Pacifico M. Pelagagge and Paolo Salini
The purpose of this paper is to estimate delivered hydrogen cost including both transport and expected accidents cost comparing compressed gas or liquid hydrogen road transport…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to estimate delivered hydrogen cost including both transport and expected accidents cost comparing compressed gas or liquid hydrogen road transport. The model allows to determine whether, in a given context, the risk of accidents is an influencing variable in the selection of the hydrogen transport mode. It also helps to select the lowest cost transport mode and route.
Design/methodology/approach
Transportation cost models are developed and integrated with a risk analysis model to determine expected accidents cost so that an overall delivered hydrogen cost can be computed. Alternative transport modes are compared on the basis of hydrogen demand, delivery distance and route type.
Findings
While safety cost in many cases can be considered negligible with respect to overall hydrogen transport cost, there are cases (high flow rate, long distance) where accident cost is relevant, especially in routes through densely populated areas. In such cases, factoring in accidents cost may significantly affect the break even point between CH2 and LH2 transport alternatives.
Research limitations/implications
The paper only deals with proven road transportation methods (CH2 and LH2). Inclusion of alternative transport modes such as pipeline or hydrides is a future research goal.
Practical implications
Decision makers can examine the costs implied by hydrogen transportation alternatives in different economic scenarios factoring in safety costs to make informed decision.
Originality/value
Available hydrogen transportation cost models neglect any safety issue, while risk assessment models only consider accident consequences costs. This work integrates both views.
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Nicolas Pinoteau, Duc Toan Pham, Hong Hai Nguyen and Romain Mège
This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of a hybrid fire testing by real-time subdivision of physical and numerical substructures (NSs) on simplified structures as a milestone…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of a hybrid fire testing by real-time subdivision of physical and numerical substructures (NSs) on simplified structures as a milestone in the development of the method.
Design/methodology/approach
An interface where the data was exchanged between a finite element software and a hydraulic jack regulator using text files has been developed and applied to perform two experimental campaigns of nine tests on simple steel frame structures with different thermal loading conditions. In the first experimental campaign, the physical substructure (PS) was assumedly protected by insulating material, while the NS was uniformly exposed to ISO 834 fire on all sides. The difference of the second experimental campaign from the first one was that the PS was heated on one side.
Findings
The experimental results showed how a gap between the determined equilibrium position and the “real” position caused by the time lag, as well as an overshoot phenomenon due to the non-synchronized action of both substructures, may occur. From the identification of the overshoot, two paths of development spring to mind to reduce the delay of the NS.
Originality/value
In the context that the number of proposal theoretical algorithms continues to increase with the absence of real experimental adjustments, such experimental results and the associated analysis constitute additional understandings to identify possible paths of improvements that might have been missed or could not be accessed through previous studies.
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Aim of the present monograph is the economic analysis of the role of MNEs regarding globalisation and digital economy and in parallel there is a reference and examination of some…
Abstract
Aim of the present monograph is the economic analysis of the role of MNEs regarding globalisation and digital economy and in parallel there is a reference and examination of some legal aspects concerning MNEs, cyberspace and e‐commerce as the means of expression of the digital economy. The whole effort of the author is focused on the examination of various aspects of MNEs and their impact upon globalisation and vice versa and how and if we are moving towards a global digital economy.
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