A New Approach for Predicting Flame Spread along Combustible Solid based on Cellular Automaton

Abstract

In this study, a new approach for predicting flame spread along a combustible solid is developed. This presented approach consists of a two-dimensional flame spread model coupled with a one-dimensional pyrolysis model in the thickness direction. The flame spread model is based on a cellular automaton combined with piloted ignition temperature, spontaneous ignition temperature, and pyrolysis temperature of a combustible solid. In addition, this approach is used to predict two typical kinds of flame spread, i.e., upward flame spread and ceiling flame spread. The existing experimental data including the upward flame spread over plywood and the ceiling flame spread beneath medium density fiberboard (MDF) are used for comparison to validate this approach. The results obtained from numerical simulations using this approach are consistent with these two kinds of experimental tests.