Performance-based design strategy allows the use of composites in fire risk situations. In this approach, the fire behaviour of the composite materials and components can be comprehensively qualified and accurately envisaged. The number of tests required to qualify a new composite material can be minimised by developing a model for prediction of the thermal response of composite materials, thereafter, validated against standard fire-test methods. Additionally, once the fire behaviour under the heat transfer conditions of the specific case of a standard furnace fire test is well comprehended, then the same model may be generalised to foretell thermal response under more realistic fire situations. A comprehensive set of experiments to measure the fire performance of composites can be cost-intensive and time-consuming. In particular, large-scale fire tests, such as a room corner test, requires special settings with advanced facilities to implement the fire scenario in a building and obtain reliable data. The experimental results cannot always capture the complex scenario that occurs in real life. Hence, the development of models to predict thermo-structural response of a burning composite is of necessity to provide an insight into the reaction to fire properties and to the fire-induced damage processes of the composites. State-of-the-art fire models based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) typically include pyrolysis and combustion sub-models. The models predict the fire growth and the spread quite accurately. In addition, the fire models also have mass, momentum and energy balance sub-models. Moreover, the phenomena of pyrolysis and combustion of materials are severely complex in nature. The scenario gets even worse when fire and natural fibre composites are compounded to that complexity. In this work, comprehensive experimental and numerical analyses have been carried out to compare the fire reaction properties of wool and flax based polypropylene composites under horizontal and vertical orientations. Two natural fibres, namely flax (cellulose based) and wool (protein based), polypropylene (PP) and epoxy matrix were used to prepare short and long fibre reinforced composites to evaluate the fire performance under different orientations. Moreover, extensive numerical analysis results on the fire reaction properties, burn time and surface temperature distribution have been reported. Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS®) was employed to develop a numerical predictive model for the cone calorimeter test. Moreover, a systematic methodology has been established to evaluate the validity of applying test data from “horizontal” material orientation to predict the fire performance of composite materials. The study consists both experimental and numerical investigations to assess the fire performance of natural fibre reinforced composites (NFRCs) with respect to the sample orientation, fibre type and fibre volume fraction under different heating irradiances. In addition, the effects of orientation on the ignitability, heat and smoke production of flax fibre reinforced composites were investigated in the cone calorimetry tests. Finally, a coupled fire-structure model combining the finite volume and finite element methods, which captures the essential physics of the problem has been developed. The model is based on a multi-physics framework where the essential physics pertaining to the combustion process of the fire and resultant thermo-mechanical response of the structure of natural fibre reinforced composites, has been incorporated. Additionally, a relatively new concept of adiabatic surface temperature has been introduced as a practical means to transfer data between fire and thermal/structural models at the gas-solid interface. The model has been able to predict the temperature, stress distribution and deformation behaviour of composite beams under combined thermal and mechanical loads.

The goal of this work is to predict the mechanical behavior of FRP composite sandwich structures in naval applications during a fire event. To do this, several models have been developed and integrated. The first is a thermal model---this provides a prediction of temperatures with time resulting from the fire exposure; accounting for heat transfer, the thermal decomposition of the resin, and the resulting mass transfer. These temperatures are then used with mechanical property degradation relations to determine degraded mechanical properties as a function of time. The predicted temperatures and mechanical properties can be used to determine a temperature-dependent coefficient of thermal expansion, and as well to predict thermal deflections. A material model has been developed that adequately represents the elastic-viscoplastic mechanical behavior of laminated FRP composites, and can exhibit all relevant failure modes. Finally, an implementation of this material model within a finite element code, with material properties degraded element-by-element, is used to predict structural behavior. In addition to the complete description of this process, several other things are included to develop it further. The use of naval composites is described in some detail, along with relevant code requirements. The general behavior of FRP composites in fire is discussed. Following development of each model, relevant parameters for use within the model are provided. For the thermal model, the model is further characterized statistically---i.e., sensitivity analyses and uncertainty analyses are performed upon it. Validation/verification of the various models is also discussed.

The authors explain the changes in the thermophysical and thermomechanical properties of polymer composites under elevated temperatures and fire conditions. Using microscale physical and chemical concepts they allow researchers to find reliable solutions to their engineering needs on the macroscale. In a unique combination of experimental results and quantitative models, a framework is developed to realistically predict the behavior of a variety of polymer composite materials over a wide range of thermal and mechanical loads. In addition, the authors treat extreme fire scenarios up to more than 1000?C for two hours, presenting heat-protection methods to improve the fire resistance of composite materials and full-scale structural members, and discuss their performance after fire exposure. Thanks to the microscopic approach, the developed models are valid for a variety of polymer composites and structural members, making this work applicable to a wide audience, including materials scientists, polymer chemists, engineering scientists in industry, civil engineers, mechanical engineers, and those working in the industry of civil infrastructure.

This book is the first to deal with the important topic of the fire behaviour of fibre reinforced polymer composite materials. The book covers all of the key issues on the behaviour of composites in a fire. Also covered are fire protection materials for composites, fire properties of nanocomposites, fire safety regulations and standards, fire test methods, and health hazards from burning composites.

This volume highlights the latest advances, innovations, and applications in the field of FRP composites and structures, as presented by leading international researchers and engineers at the 10th International Conference on Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites in Civil Engineering (CICE), held in Istanbul, Turkey on December 8-10, 2021. It covers a diverse range of topics such as All FRP structures; Bond and interfacial stresses; Concrete-filled FRP tubular members; Concrete structures reinforced or pre-stressed with FRP; Confinement; Design issues/guidelines; Durability and long-term performance; Fire, impact and blast loading; FRP as internal reinforcement; Hybrid structures of FRP and other materials; Materials and products; Seismic retrofit of structures; Strengthening of concrete, steel, masonry and timber structures; and Testing. The contributions, which were selected by means of a rigorous international peer-review process, present a wealth of exciting ideas that will open novel research directions and foster multidisciplinary collaboration among different specialists.

The range of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) applications in new construction, and in the retrofitting of existing civil engineering infrastructure, is continuing to grow worldwide. Furthermore, this progress is being matched by advancing research into all aspects of analysis and design. The Second International Conference on FRP Composites in