Experimental investigation on the temperature decay beneath a horizontal projection of spilled plumes from a compartment window

• Published in: International journal of thermal sciences 2020-08, Vol.154, p.106409, Article 106409
• Main Authors: Tao, Y., Lu, K.H., Wang, Z.L., Ding, Y.M., Wang, J., Mao, S.H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Compartment fire; Horizontal projection; Temperature decay; Window spilled plume
• ISSN: 1290-0729; 1778-4166
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2020.106409

Since the horizontal projection upon the building facade are widely used in vertical fire-induced thermal protection, this paper is focused on the temperature decay beneath a horizontal projection of spilled plumes from a compartment window. A series of 1:8 reduced scale experiments were carried out in a cubic compartment. The window dimensions as well as the total heat release rates were variable, whilst the temperature was measured by thermocouples installed beneath a horizontal projection, which was located right attached to the facade wall at the top of the compartment window. The temperature field beneath the horizontal projection was found to be singular to a naturally formed ceiling jet. The elongation of temperature field in the longitudinal direction was observed, which should be attributed to the extra horizontal velocity provided by the window spilled plume, and meanwhile, the horizontal velocity started to take advantage as the flow spreads. Finally, the temperature decay in both longitudinal and transversal directions are well correlated by dimensionless functions. The results would provide crucial references in the realistic interpretation on the thermal and strength performance of building structure in building fire scenarios.