Progress to Date
The progress of this project thus far has principally been research based, as the relevant experimentation is conceptually unique. Our focus at present is to establish equivalent imposed heat fluxes for each of the four non standard fire scenarios. Comprehensive knowledge of the heat transfer process caused by irradiance during intumescence is a complex topic and will require further study, before any experiments can take place. Numerical analysis of the heat transfer process and trial testing of the cone calorimeter capabilities is essential in ensuring constructive data is produced during experimentation.
- Allocation of thesis: Reviewing topics, selection and meetings with potential supervisors.
- Meeting with supervisor Luke Bisby: Weekly meetings and contact with thesis supervisor, to discuss the direction of research, possible avenues of improvement and general advice.
- Maintenance of Log Book: Updating log book on a regular basis, literature reviews, meeting logs, schedule management and timetable.
- Literature review: Extensive research into the area of intumescent coatings, current standards, large scale and bench scale fire testing, fire scenarios, chemical process of intumesence, heat flux transfer to intumescent and previous experimental and numerical research.
- Rushbrook Fire lab: Introduction to the University of Edinburgh Rushbrook fire laboratory to view relevant equipment.
- Liaising with industrial partner: Contact via supervisor, acceptance of testing on their product, requesting painted samples with attached thermocouples, sign confidentiality agreement and promise of presentation to manufacturers staff members upon completion of report.
- Testing procedure: Research of use and operation of the cone calorimeter and fire propagation apparatus, under non standard fire scenarios.
- Establishing temperature-time curves required for testing- Determining of non standard fire scenarios for testing.
- Practical introduction to the fire Rushbrook Fire lab. A informative introduction to the cone calorimeter and fire propagation apparatus given by lab technician Michal Krajcovic, on the limitations and capabilities of both apparatus.
- Establish number of samples required: Compilation of the final number and type of samples required to enable constructive testing of the intumescent coating performance in fire. These have been presented to supervisor for the industrial partner.
This website was created, by Connie Leydon and Patricia Lehane, in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, in Civil Engineering (Leydon) / Civil & Environmental Engineering (Lehane), at the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom. ©
