Fires in Tunnels: Experiments and Modelling

Abstract

The development of fire safety research in road tunnels during the past 20 years is reviewed, with particular reference to the activity of the Flame Research Group at Politecnico di Torino (Italy). Simulations of fire accidents in tun- nels are described for both full-scale tests in real tunnels and for laboratory-scale tests. It is shown how simple semi- empirical thermo-fluid dynamic models are able to capture the fire dynamics and the behaviour of the smoke layer ob- served in experiments. The results provide a basis to develop rational design criteria and safety regulations.