Abstract
This work deals with the numerical (CFD) analysis of the smoke propagation during fires within closed environments. It is evaluated the capacity of the emergency ventilation system in controlling the smoke propagation and minimizing the deadly impact of an eventual fire in a wagon within the Metro de Caracas subway tunnel on the passengers safety. For the study, it was chosen the tunnel section between Teatros and Nuevo Circo subway stations, which consists of two parallel independent twin tunnels, connected through a transverse passage. The tunnels are provided by a longitudinal ventilation system, integrated by a set of reversible fans located at both ends of the tunnels. Three stages were considered in the study: (a) Model set up; (b) Mesh sensitivity analysis; (c) Validation of the physical-numerical parameters to be used in the numerical model; and (d) Simulation of fire scenarios in Metro de Caracas subway stations. Stages (b)-(c), aimed to testing and calibrating the CFD tool (ANSYS-CFX10™), focused on reproducing experimental data from Vauquelin and Mégret [1], who studied the smoke propagation in a fire within a 1:20 scale road tunnel. Stage (d) critical scenarios were established via a preliminary discussion with safety experts from Metro de Caracas, in order to reduce the computer memory and the number of simulations to be performed. The analyses assessed the reliability of escape routes and alternative paths for the evacuation of passengers. Additionally, the smoke front movement was particularly computed, as a function of time, in order to determine the possible presence of the "backlayering" phenomenon [5]. Results demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of the current ventilation system in the event of a fire in the subway tunnel, and suggest new strategies to address this potentially lethal event to minimize the risks for passengers.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | 2008 Proceedings of the ASME Fluids Engineering Division Summer Conference, FEDSM 2008 |
| Pages | 1017-1024 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Volume | 1 |
| Edition | PART B |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2009 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | 2008 ASME Fluids Engineering Division Summer Conference, FEDSM 2008 - Jacksonville, FL, United States Duration: Aug 10 2008 → Aug 14 2008 |
Other
| Other | 2008 ASME Fluids Engineering Division Summer Conference, FEDSM 2008 |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| City | Jacksonville, FL |
| Period | 8/10/08 → 8/14/08 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes
- Mechanical Engineering
Cite this
Numerical study of smoke propagation in a simulated fire in a wagon within a subway tunnel. / Vittori, Felipe; Rojas-Solórzano, Luis; Blanco, Armando J.; Urbina, Rafael.
2008 Proceedings of the ASME Fluids Engineering Division Summer Conference, FEDSM 2008. Vol. 1 PART B. ed. 2009. p. 1017-1024.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
}
TY - GEN
T1 - Numerical study of smoke propagation in a simulated fire in a wagon within a subway tunnel
AU - Vittori, Felipe
AU - Rojas-Solórzano, Luis
AU - Blanco, Armando J.
AU - Urbina, Rafael
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - This work deals with the numerical (CFD) analysis of the smoke propagation during fires within closed environments. It is evaluated the capacity of the emergency ventilation system in controlling the smoke propagation and minimizing the deadly impact of an eventual fire in a wagon within the Metro de Caracas subway tunnel on the passengers safety. For the study, it was chosen the tunnel section between Teatros and Nuevo Circo subway stations, which consists of two parallel independent twin tunnels, connected through a transverse passage. The tunnels are provided by a longitudinal ventilation system, integrated by a set of reversible fans located at both ends of the tunnels. Three stages were considered in the study: (a) Model set up; (b) Mesh sensitivity analysis; (c) Validation of the physical-numerical parameters to be used in the numerical model; and (d) Simulation of fire scenarios in Metro de Caracas subway stations. Stages (b)-(c), aimed to testing and calibrating the CFD tool (ANSYS-CFX10™), focused on reproducing experimental data from Vauquelin and Mégret [1], who studied the smoke propagation in a fire within a 1:20 scale road tunnel. Stage (d) critical scenarios were established via a preliminary discussion with safety experts from Metro de Caracas, in order to reduce the computer memory and the number of simulations to be performed. The analyses assessed the reliability of escape routes and alternative paths for the evacuation of passengers. Additionally, the smoke front movement was particularly computed, as a function of time, in order to determine the possible presence of the "backlayering" phenomenon [5]. Results demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of the current ventilation system in the event of a fire in the subway tunnel, and suggest new strategies to address this potentially lethal event to minimize the risks for passengers.
AB - This work deals with the numerical (CFD) analysis of the smoke propagation during fires within closed environments. It is evaluated the capacity of the emergency ventilation system in controlling the smoke propagation and minimizing the deadly impact of an eventual fire in a wagon within the Metro de Caracas subway tunnel on the passengers safety. For the study, it was chosen the tunnel section between Teatros and Nuevo Circo subway stations, which consists of two parallel independent twin tunnels, connected through a transverse passage. The tunnels are provided by a longitudinal ventilation system, integrated by a set of reversible fans located at both ends of the tunnels. Three stages were considered in the study: (a) Model set up; (b) Mesh sensitivity analysis; (c) Validation of the physical-numerical parameters to be used in the numerical model; and (d) Simulation of fire scenarios in Metro de Caracas subway stations. Stages (b)-(c), aimed to testing and calibrating the CFD tool (ANSYS-CFX10™), focused on reproducing experimental data from Vauquelin and Mégret [1], who studied the smoke propagation in a fire within a 1:20 scale road tunnel. Stage (d) critical scenarios were established via a preliminary discussion with safety experts from Metro de Caracas, in order to reduce the computer memory and the number of simulations to be performed. The analyses assessed the reliability of escape routes and alternative paths for the evacuation of passengers. Additionally, the smoke front movement was particularly computed, as a function of time, in order to determine the possible presence of the "backlayering" phenomenon [5]. Results demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of the current ventilation system in the event of a fire in the subway tunnel, and suggest new strategies to address this potentially lethal event to minimize the risks for passengers.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=70349088235&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1115/FEDSM2008-55281
DO - 10.1115/FEDSM2008-55281
M3 - Conference contribution
SN - 9780791848418
VL - 1
SP - 1017
EP - 1024
BT - 2008 Proceedings of the ASME Fluids Engineering Division Summer Conference, FEDSM 2008
ER -