Numerical predictions of the time-dependent temperature field for the 7^thCardington compartment fire test

The present work reports on a numerical simulation of a compartment fire. The fire was modeled using a simplified approach, where combustion is simulated as a volumetric heat release. Computations were performed with the commercial code CFX 5.6. Radiation was modeled with a differential approximation (P1 model), while turbulence effects upon the mean gas flow were dealt with a SST turbulence model. Simulations were carried out using a transient approach, starting at the onset of ignition. Results are provided for the temperature field time evolution, thus allowing a direct comparison with the analytical and experimental data. The high spatial resolution available for the results proved to be of great utility for a more detailed analysis of the thermal impact on the steel structure.