Progressive Methods in Studying the Charred Layer Parameters Change in Relation to Wood Moisture Content

Abstract

The aim was to investigate the relationship of charred layer parameters (also wood fire resistance) and moisture content of European larch (Larix decidua L.) wood. For this purpose, finite element model (FEM) was developed. To develop FEM, ANSYS software and transient thermal analysis were applied. To validate developed FEM, the medium-scale fire tests were provided in the laboratory chamber. In the fire tests the beams made of larch wood have undergone the thermal loading with radiant panel. The FEM validation results showed very strong correspondence of numerical and experimental results, when achieving the overall accuracy of 93.4%. Validated FEM was further used to determine the relationship between the larch beams moisture content and formation of charred layer, i.e., its parameters. The results from the simulation pointed out the fact, the wetter the wood, the higher its fire resistance. This is very important information for studying the formation of a charred layer and a layer of degraded wood. After increasing the moisture content from 10% to 30%, the area of the charred layer decreased by approximately 20%. The area of degraded wood decreased by almost 30%, so it can be stated that the area of the charred layer of wood and degraded wood decreases exponentially with increasing wood moisture content.