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Analyzing and Exploiting Numerical Characteristics of Zone Fire Models

Published

Author(s)

Glenn P. Forney, W F. Moss

Abstract

In order to design robust and stable zone fire modeling algorithms, the numerical properties of computer arithmetic and modeling differential equations must be understood. This report examines some of these properties and provides tools for their analysis. Many sets of different equations for zone fire modeling can be derived using the conservation of mass and energy. A comparison between various possible formulations is made in terms of numerical properties. One property that many formulations possess is the presence of multiple time scales. Pressures equilibrate much faster than other quantities such as density and temperature. Numerically, this property is known as stiffness. Stiffness, in the context of fire modeling, and numerical methods for handling it are discussed.
Citation
Journal of Fire Sciences
Volume
14
Issue
No. 1/2

Keywords

zone models, fire models, computer models, numerical analysis

Citation

Forney, G. and Moss, W. (1994), Analyzing and Exploiting Numerical Characteristics of Zone Fire Models, Journal of Fire Sciences, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=912469 (Accessed December 10, 2024)

Issues

If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact reflib@nist.gov.

Created January 1, 1994, Updated June 2, 2021