Experimental investigation on non-linearity in understanding large scale fires

Abstract

Fire doesn't spread in a uniform manner it has an unpredictable nature. The pervasive uncertainty associated with large-scale fires has resulted in the irreparable loss of invaluable human lives, natural resources, critical infrastructure, and systems. To combat this significant issue, substantial financial investments are made annually in research endeavours aimed at preventing and mitigating such devastating incidents. These dedicated research efforts strive to develop innovative strategies, cutting-edge technologies, and robust protocols to proactively address the risk of large-scale fires, ensuring the protection of lives and safeguarding precious assets from extensive damage. This project intends on studying the non-linear nature of fire propagation, as there has been little to no study on the non -linear nature of fire. A setup to test different non-linear configurations at different orientations was fabricated. Different non-linear configurations on each of these orientations were tested and the pattern of fire propagation was noted. Optical shadowgraphy is a valuable technique employed to gather essential data concerning the dynamics of fire propagation, flame spread rate, and the accompanying energy transfer. By utilizing this method, researchers can capture detailed information regarding the behavior of flames, enabling a deeper understanding of fire phenomena and facilitating the development of effective fire management strategies. This non-intrusive optical technique provides valuable insights into the intricate processes involved in fire spread, aiding in the advancement of fire safety knowledge and enhancing our ability to mitigate the risks associated with fire incidents. This data was compared with results of other linear configurations. These results might help us in designing systems for predicting and reducing the damage done by uncontrollable fires such as wildfires, fires in buildings, aeroplanes, rockets etc.