Evaluating the combustion and flame extension characteristics of cable fire in utility tunnels with spontaneous combustion scenarios: An experimental study
Journal article
Xu, D., Li, Y., Li, J., Zhong, H., Li, J., Tu, D. and Huang, Y. (2023). Evaluating the combustion and flame extension characteristics of cable fire in utility tunnels with spontaneous combustion scenarios: An experimental study. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology. 140, p. 105244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2023.105244
Authors | Xu, D., Li, Y., Li, J., Zhong, H., Li, J., Tu, D. and Huang, Y. |
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Abstract | A cable fire in a utility tunnel can cause severe damage to the electric power supply in cities. This study aims to understand the combustion and flame spread characteristics of cable fires, which are mainly caused by overheating from the excessive current at the interconnections of the cables under spontaneous combustion. Fire experiments were conducted in a 1:6 scale model of a utility tunnel to analyse the flame spread characteristics under different heat release rates (HRRs), vertical distances, and transverse distances. The findings of this study show that the total burning time of the cable fire increases as the cable diameter increases, and the HRR also shows an increasing trend. Additionally, the spatial location of the cable fire has a significant impact on the flame spread. The terms Hc* and Dc* are defined to characterize the flame height and a general prediction model of the dimensionless flame height influenced by cable spontaneous combustion is proposed. A dimensionless model is also established to describe the flame spread rate. This research provides valuable guidance to aid in the development of fire safety measures in utility tunnels. |
Keywords | Utility tunnel; Cable fire; Combustion characteristics; Flame height; Spread rate |
Year | 2023 |
Journal | Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology |
Journal citation | 140, p. 105244 |
Publisher | Elsevier |
ISSN | 0886-7798 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2023.105244 |
Web address (URL) | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S088677982300264X |
Publication dates | |
Online | 16 Jun 2023 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 04 Jun 2023 |
Deposited | 26 Feb 2024 |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
https://openresearch.lsbu.ac.uk/item/967x5
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