Charring properties and temperature profiles of laminated bamboo under single side of ISO 834 fire exposure

Abstract

The charring properties and temperature profiles were studied for laminated bamboo exposed on one-side to ISO 834 fire. A linear model was adopted to represent the charring depth-time relationship. The average charring rate of laminated bamboo was around 1 mm/min, and the charring rate decreased as the total time increased. The temperature of the char front was approximately 270 °C, which was determined via analysis of the time-temperature curve. An additional mathematic model was developed to predict the temperature distribution in the uncharred zone under such conditions, and an abrupt change in temperature was witnessed near the char front. When compared to several different timber species found in previous literature and fire resistance standards, the charring rate of laminated bamboo was relatively high; therefore, future research should focus on way to strengthen the fire retardancy of laminated bamboo.