Fire Simulation and Residual Strength Prediction Tool for Aluminum Ship Structures During and After Fire

A fully coupled fire-structure interaction module will be developed and implemented within GEM"s Abaqus Fire Interface Simulator Toolkit (AFIST) for fire response prediction in aluminum ship structures. This enhanced AFIST will be able to characterize a 3D complex geometry where its topology is not in conformation with a rectilinear CFD grid. Given the strong interaction between the local flow environment and the deformed aluminum structure, an immersed boundary method will be implemented within the customized Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS). A sharp interface characterization of the solid boundary will be created and the mapping of the boundary conditions from the interface to its immersed boundary nodes will be constructed through local interpolation. A kinematic description of the moving boundary will be accomplished via its coupling with Abaqus. GEM has secured commitments for tool validation support from Virginia Tech and application guidance from NGSB and Navy Lab. The multi-faceted feasibility study consists of the implementation of the immersed boundary method in AFIST, verification of the accuracy of the improved coupling method using an existing CFD/Abaqus coupling toolkit, exploration of the effects of structural deformation on the local flow field, and performance of subcomponent level validation using VT"s pool fire data.