基于足尺抗火试验的三维框架结构消防安全分析

分析三维框架结构(如工业厂房)的消防安全。冷弯薄钢板作为结构构件使用,并对建筑进行了足尺抗火试验。利用有限元模型SAFIR进行盲预测分析,对火灾荷载密度为625MJ/m2、通风系数为0.009m1/2的标准火灾和自然火灾下结构构件的热响应进行预测。与预期一样,由于是薄钢板,冷弯截面的温度或多或少与防火分区内气体温度相关。力学响应的预测结果给出了27min(标准火灾)和54min(自然火灾)的抗火能力。利用足尺抗火试验结果对模型进行了验证,证明了62min的抗火能力。与一个简单的2.5D模型进行比较,证明了所提供的结果足够精确、适用于日常设计。     

Fire analysis of steel frames with the use of artificial neural networks

The paper presents an alternative approach to the modelling of the mechanical behaviour of steel frame material when exposed to the high temperatures expected in fires. Based on a series of stress-strain curves obtained experimentally for various temperature levels, an artificial neural network (ANN) is employed in the material modelling of steel. Geometrically and materially, a non-linear analysis of plane frame structures subjected to fire is performed by FEM. The numerical results of a simply supported beam are compared with our measurements, and show a good agreement, although the temperature-displacement curves exhibit rather irregular shapes. It can be concluded that ANN is an efficient tool for modelling the material properties of steel frames in fire engineering design studies.     

Numerical modelling of the structural fire behaviour of composite buildings

This paper describes numerical models constructed to simulate the response of composite steel/concrete building floors under fire conditions. In particular, this study deals with two of the fire tests recently undertaken on a full-scale multi-storey building at Cardington, UK. The analysis is carried out using a structural analysis program which accounts for both geometric and material nonlinearities, and which includes temperature-dependent constitutive models for steel and concrete materials. The approaches used to represent the various structural details are discussed, and the procedure employed for incorporating the experimentally measured temperature profiles and histories is outlined. For the two tests considered in this investigation, the numerical results are in general agreement with the experimental data, particularly in terms of the magnitude of vertical deformations induced in the floors at elevated temperatures. Close examination of the numerical and experimental findings provides an insight into the complex interactions that occur in the structure at elevated temperatures. Most significantly, the influence of the restraint to thermal expansion of the heated floor area, which is provided by the surrounding parts of the structure, is shown to be of paramount importance. The increasing confidence that can be placed in numerical models as well as the improved understanding of the structural fire response may be used in developing more realistic and cost-effective design methods which are based on the actual structural response rather than that of isolated members.     

Numerical predictions of indoor climate in large industrial premises. A comparison between different k–ε models supported by field measurements

This paper explores the benefits of using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) as a tool for prediction of indoor environment in large and complex industrial premises, in this case a packaging facility. This paper also presents a comparison between three eddy-viscosity turbulence models, i.e. the standard k–ε, the RNG k–ε, and the realizable k–ε, used for predictions of the flow pattern and temperature distribution in this large industrial facility. The predictions are compared with field measurements and the RNG k–ε model has been found to be the one most concurrent with the measured values.     

Finite element modelling of the pyrolysis of wet wood subjected to fire

The modelling of the pyrolysis of wet wood provides more realistic fire scenarios for structural fire design by taking into account variable thermal properties of wood which are beyond the scope of conventional structural fire design codes. The proposed numerical methodology has been written in MATLAB environment. A 2D nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) is performed to model the pyrolysis of wet wood subjected to high temperature. The varying of thermal proprieties of wood are discussed from the point of view of changes of structure and chemical composition under fire condition. The validity of the model is established by comparing the predicted results with results from fire resistance tests presented in literature. Qualitatively, the model provides good agreement with the experimental data. It is shown that the model can handle layers of a wooden composite structure. Temperature profiles at different points in the wood sample and the two-dimensional charring depth of Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) panels are calculated and compared with experimental data.     

Mechanistic and statistical models of total Vibrio abundance in the Neuse River Estuary

Bacteria in the genus Vibrio are ubiquitous to estuarine waters worldwide and are often the dominant genus recovered from these environments. This genus contains several potentially pathogenic species, including Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Vibrio alginolyticus. These bacteria have short generation times, as low as 20–30 min, and can thus respond rapidly to changing environmental conditions. A five-parameter mechanistic model was generated based on environmental processes including hydrodynamics, growth, and death rates of Vibrio bacteria to predict total Vibrio abundance in the Neuse River Estuary of eastern North Carolina. Additionally an improved statistical model was developed using the easily monitored parameters of temperature and salinity. This updated model includes data that covers more than eight years of constant bacterial monitoring, and incorporates extreme weather events such as droughts, storms, and floods. These models can be used to identify days in which bacterial abundance might coincide with increased health risks.     

现代社会高层建筑火灾危险性及防控对策

高层建筑是指十层以及十层以上的居住建筑以及建筑高度超过24米的公共建筑。随着我国城市化进程的不断推进,高层建筑如雨后春笋般拔地而起,鳞次栉比的高层建筑成了城市现代化的标志之一。然而,高层建筑由于楼层高、体积大、人员多、功能繁杂,火灾危险性比普通建筑大得多。近年来,高层建筑火灾频发给人们敲响了警钟。在此,笔者结合多年从事防火监督工作的历练,借鉴大城市在高层建筑防控体系建设上的成功经验和做法,深入分析现代社会高层建筑的火灾危险性,结合城市发展的实际情况对高层建筑的防控工作建言献策。     

CFD modelling of ventilation and dust flow behaviour above an underground bin and the design of an innovative dust mitigation system

To mitigate dust contamination in the mine intake roadway, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) study was first conducted to understand the ventilation and respirable dust flow behaviour above the bin. Based on the modelling results, two possible solutions were proposed for dust control, one is modifying the ventilation system to dilute the respirable dust particles, and the other is using water mist dust droppers to suppress and capture the majority of the dust particles. Modelling results indicated that respirable dust particles could be significantly diluted at the operators’ breathing level by increasing the ventilation volume from the horizontal air intake, where 10–13 m³/s of air flow rate was suggested to be a preferable quantity. The mechanism of respirable dust capture using water mist was investigated from classical theory and two phase flow theory, respectively, both of which demonstrated a good dust mitigation effect was achievable. CFD models were employed to investigate the flow behaviour of water mists when sprays were oriented at different directions above the bin. An innovative design of dust control system employing water mist technology with four nozzles was proposed and subsequently built for field implementation. An independent field dust evaluation demonstrated that a reduction up to 68% of respirable dust particles has been achieved in the vicinity of the underground bin, and an average of 40% respirable dust reduction along the belt roadway. The successful application of the new dust mitigation system also demonstrates its potential use in underground longwall faces, roadway development and subsurface tunnel excavations by roadheader.     

Cyclone hazards in the Arabian sea–A numerical modelling case study of Cyclone Nilofar

Cyclones cause significant loss of life and damage to properties, ecosystems and marine facilities. To address such issues, Royal HaskoningDHV (RHDHV) has developed regional tidal hydrodynamic and wave models covering the Northern Arabian Sea. A total of 29 major cyclones were identified in the Arabian Sea since 1945. However, as less information is available on Cyclone Nilofar (2014), this paper has concentrated on this event to illustrate the use of numerical modelling to simulate waves and surge generated by cyclones. Sample results from the modelling study are presented in this paper. The methodology described in this paper for modelling cyclone waves and surges in the Arabian Sea could be applied to simulate such natural hazards at other sites around the world.     

A seasonal study of the mecA gene and Staphylococcus aureus including methicillin-resistant S. aureus in a municipal wastewater treatment plant

The spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), in which the mecA gene mediates resistance, threatens the treatment of staphylococcal diseases. The aims were to determine the effect of wastewater treatment processes on mecA gene concentrations, and the prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA over time. To achieve this a municipal wastewater treatment plant was investigated for the mecA gene, S. aureus and MRSA, using real-time PCR assays. Water samples were collected monthly for one year, at eight sites in the plant, reflecting different aspects of the treatment process. The mecA gene and S. aureus could be detected throughout the year at all sampling sites. MRSA could also be detected, but mainly in the early treatment steps. The presence of MRSA was verified through cultivation from inlet water. The concentration of the mecA gene varied between months and sampling sites, but no obvious seasonal variation could be determined. The wastewater treatment process reduced the mecA gene concentration in most months. Taken together our results show that the mecA gene, S. aureus and MRSA occur over the year at all sites investigated.     

Influence of daily surface temperature fluctuations on rock slope stability: case study of the Rochers de Valabres slope (France)

The present paper describes a rockfall that has affected the Rochers de Valabres slope (France's Southern Alps region) and discusses one possible mechanism for the occurrence of this rockfall, along with the potential for future ones. In the absence of an obvious explanatory trigger factor, we set out to examine whether natural daily surface temperature changes could have played a role in this event. In particular, it is suspected that these slight, yet repeated, perturbations may be a preparatory factor for rockfalls, with a day-to-day cumulative effect. A numerical model strengthens this hypothesis by showing that thermally induced deformations can be sufficient to cause the gradual downward creep of a rock block located in an awkward position. To investigate this notion more thoroughly, a currently vulnerable part of the Rochers de Valabres slope has been instrumented with a high-precision geodetic monitoring system (total station). It is believed that this device is able to capture thermally induced movements if specific precautions are taken. The instrumented rock volume is used as a test site in the aim of better understanding the consequences of surface temperature changes on slope stability. Measured data (with a precision level never before achieved on rock slopes) are compared herein with numerical modelling results. The initial conclusions of the long-term study we are conducting indicate that surface temperature changes play an important, while not easily quantifiable, role in preparing rockfalls.     

Determination of the optimal parameters in regression models for the prediction of chlorophyll-a: A case study of the Yeongsan Reservoir, Korea

Statistical regression models involve linear equations, which often lead to significant prediction errors due to poor statistical stability and accuracy. This concern arises from multicollinearity in the models, which may drastically affect model performance in terms of a trade-off scenario for effective water resource management logistics. In this paper, we propose a new methodology for improving the statistical stability and accuracy of regression models, and then show how to cope with pitfalls in the models and determine optimal parameters with a decreased number of predictive variables. Here, a comparison of the predictive performance was made using four types of multiple linear regression (MLR) and principal component regression (PCR) models in the prediction of chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentration in the Yeongsan (YS) Reservoir, Korea, an estuarine reservoir that historically suffers from high levels of nutrient input. During a 3-year water quality monitoring period, results showed that PCRs could be a compact solution for improving the accuracy of the models, as in each case MLR could not accurately produce reliable predictions due to a persistent collinearity problem. Furthermore, based on R² (goodness of fit) and F-overall number (confidence of regression), and the number of explanatory variables (R-F-N) curve, it was revealed that PCR-F(7) was the best model among the four regression models in predicting chl-a, having the fewest explanatory variables (seven) and the lowest uncertainty. Seven PCs were identified as significant variables, related to eight water quality parameters: pH, 5-day biochemical oxygen demand, total coliform, fecal indicator bacteria, chemical oxygen demand, ammonia-nitrogen, total nitrogen, and dissolved oxygen. Overall, the results not only demonstrated that the models employed successfully simulated chl-a in a reservoir in both the test and validation periods, but also suggested that the optimal parameters should cautiously be considered in the design of regression models.     

Changes in the Daphnia magna midgut upon ingestion of copper oxide nanoparticles: A transmission electron microscopy study

This work is a follow-up of our previous paper (Heinlaan et al., 2008. Chemosphere 71, 1308-1316) where we showed about 50-fold higher acute toxicity of CuO nanoparticles (NPs) compared to bulk CuO to water flea Daphnia magna. In the current work transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to determine potential time-dependent changes in D. magna midgut epithelium ultrastructure upon exposure to CuO NPs compared to bulk CuO at their 48 h EC₅₀ levels: 4.0 and 175 mg CuO/L, respectively. Special attention was on potential internalization of CuO NPs by midgut epithelial cells. Ingestion of both CuO formulations by daphnids was evident already after 10 min of exposure. In the midgut lumen CuO NPs were dispersed whereas bulk CuO was clumped. By the 48th hour of exposure to CuO NPs (but not to equitoxic concentrations of bulk CuO) the following ultrastructural changes in midgut epithelium of daphnids were observed: protrusion of epithelial cells into the midgut lumen, presence of CuO NPs in circular structures analogous to membrane vesicles from holocrine secretion in the midgut lumen. Implicit internalization of CuO NPs via D. magna midgut epithelial cells was not evident however CuO NPs were no longer contained within the peritrophic membrane but located between the midgut epithelium microvilli. Interestingly, upon exposure to CuO NPs bacterial colonization of the midgut occurred. Ultrastructural changes in the midgut of D. magna upon exposure to CuO NPs but not to bulk CuO refer to its nanosize-related adverse effects.Time-dependent solubilisation of CuO NPs and bulk CuO in the test medium was quantified by recombinant Cu-sensor bacteria: by the 48th hour of exposure to bulk CuO, the concentration of solubilised copper ions was 0.05 ± 0.01 mg Cu/L that was comparable to the acute EC₅₀ value of Cu-ions to D. magna (48 h CuSO₄ EC₅₀ = 0.07 ± 0.01 mg Cu/L). However, in case of CuO NPs, the solubilised Cu-ions 0.01 ± 0.001 mg Cu/L, explained only part of the toxicity.     

Pile burning of cutting debris in stands of hazel (Corylus avellana): An experimental study of smouldering combustion towards the validation of a burning protocol

Smouldering combustion in burning piles was experimentally investigated by studying temperature changes in six piles of 2 m of diameter of cutting debris of hazel (Corylus avellana) for three days after extinction. The piles were monitored using an IR camera and K-type thermocouples. The experiment was designed in order to study how the maximum temperature of the charcoal might be influenced by the individual and interaction effects of both the quality of extinction and the elapsed time until the start of extinction of the piles. The piles that were properly extinguished (i.e. using a high-pressure, homogeneously distributed water flow of 50 l/min for 4 min) had a uniform temperature profile and did not have significant hot spots. The temperature reached equilibrium with the environment in less than 10 h after extinction. In contrast, a smouldering front moved throughout the poorly extinguished piles, which had a wide temperature distribution and hot spots of up to 700 °C. A simulation of windy conditions after three days of experiments on a poorly extinguished pile showed that the reactivation of charcoal combustion was possible. It gave a high-risk scenario to cause a wildfire, with hot smouldering embers being transported by wind flow. The results are of interest to improve pile burning protocols so that the number of wildfires caused by such practices may be reduced.     

Experimental and analytical study of the structural response of segmental tunnel linings based on an in situ loading test.: Part 1: Test configuration and execution

During the last years the use of segmental linings in tunnels bored with tunnel boring machines (TBMs) have increased considerably. Despite this, uncertainties remain on the structural behavior of segmental tunnel linings. To overcome them, a new methodology for an in situ real scale test on this kind of tunnels was developed and applied on an experimental section placed at the new Line 9 (L9) of the metro of Barcelona. The main particularity of this test falls on its performance in the definitive placement of the rings and, therefore, in the real work conditions of the tunnel. The main advantage to previous real scale test experiences was the consideration of the real ground–structure interaction. The experimental section was composed by 15 rings built using steel fibers as a unique reinforcement. Significant loads were applied to the tunnel crown (max 3000 kN) by means of three hydraulic flat jacks embedded at the extrados of the loaded ring. A complete set of internal and external instrumentation was placed on the experimental section to obtain the necessary measurements to characterize the lining behavior. Such measurements were intensively treated and its main results are presented and analyzed in detail in this paper. This in situ test provides significant evidences of the structural response of SFRC segmental tunnel linings in hard ground conditions.     

Bioaugmentation with the nicotine-degrading bacterium Pseudomonas sp. HF-1 in a sequencing batch reactor treating tobacco wastewater: Degradation study and analysis of its mechanisms

The highly effective nicotine-degrading bacterium Pseudomonas sp. HF-1 was augmented in an SBR system that is used to treat tobacco wastewater. Compared to the non-bioaugmented (non-BA) system, the bioaugmented (BA) system exhibited considerably stronger pollution disposal abilities, with 100% nicotine degradation and more than 84% chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal within 12 h. Nicotine degradation had a significant effect on COD removal in SBRs (r = 0.928, p < 0.01). The mechanisms of bioaugmentation were systematically investigated using a combination of polymerase chain reaction and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) and a toxicity assay (protein carbonyl (PC) and DNA-protein crosslinking (DPC)). DGGE fingerprint profiles showed that the number of bands and the Shannon-Wiener index decreased at a nicotine load of 250 mg/L compared to a 40-130 mg/L nicotine load in the non-BA system. However, a stepwise increase in the Shannon-Wiener index was found during all periods in the BA system. A comparison of sequences excised from DGGE gels demonstrated significant differences in the dominant microbial species between the two SBRs. This result suggested that bioaugmentation of strain HF-1 could select cooperators for treating complicated tobacco wastewater. The PC content and the DPC coefficient increased significantly at levels higher than 80 mg/L in the non-BA system; nevertheless, no increase was observed in the BA system during the stepwise nicotine load. This indicated that bioaugmentation of strain HF-1 resulted in the maintenance of high treatment activity by minimizing the nicotine toxicity for other microbes in the BA system. In conclusion, the rapid nicotine degradation of strain HF-1 performed a vital function in SBR by influencing the microbial community structure, dynamics and activity of the activated sludge system.