U.S.-Japan Cooperative Research: Upward Flame Spread under External Radiation

This award supports a three-year collaborative research project between Professor Anil Kulkarni of the Pennsylvania State University and Dr. Yuji Hasemi, Building Research Institute, Ministry of Construction, Tsukuba, Japan. In addition, a graduate student from Dr. Kulkarni's laboratory will conduct research at the Building Research Institute for this project. The objective of the project is to understand the fundamentals of the behavior of materials burning in an upward flame spread configuration under a simulated surrounding fire condition and to develop a mathematical model to predict upward flame spread and fire growth. Upward flame spread is the most hazardous mode of flame spread; and in a room fire situation where surrounding walls impart radiant flux to each other, upward flame spread rates are significantly enhanced. The U.S. and Japanese groups will approach the problem from different directions. At Penn State, intermediate scale and small scale experimental facilities have been constructed to study flame spread as well as to measure relevant material properties, and a numerical upward flame spread model has been developed. At BRI there are extensive experimental facilities, large enough for full scale testing. The different approaches to investigation of upward flame spread will allow the groups to benefit from each other's resources and experience and will provide a cohesive research plan to enhance progress toward understanding the upward flame spread process.