Fire Simulation and Residual Strength Prediction Tool for Aluminum Ship Structures During and After Fire Navy SBIR FY2010.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.2 Topic No.: N102-173 Topic Title: Fire Simulation and Residual Strength Prediction Tool for Aluminum Ship Structures During and After Fire Proposal No.: N102-173-0578 Firm: Global Engineering and Materials, Inc. 11 Alscot Drive East Lyme, Connecticut 06333 Contact: LiGuo Chen Phone: (609) 356-5115 Web Site: www.GEM-Consultant.com Abstract: 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. Benefits: The results from this research will have significant benefits and commercial application in the aerospace, DoD labs, and shipping industries. It will result in: 1) an accurate fire-structure interaction solution module for aluminum structures with an arbitrary coupling interface; 2) a commercially viable, accurate, computationally efficient, and user-friendly residual structural integrity assessment tool for fire damage assessment of aluminum structures; 3) a virtual testing tool to reduce current certification and qualification costs which are heavily driven by sub-element and full-scale component testing for validation of structural integrity and durability when subjected to fire exposure; and 4) innovative design and fabrication procedures to minimize the risk of fire damage of aluminum ship structures. The tool can be used by USN and ship industries as follows: 1) to accelerate thermal damage assessment, determine effective insulation requirements, assist in decision making for effective repairs, and design reliable fire protection systems permitting maximum escape time; 2) for ship certification and design agencies to specify fire performance limits and safety standards; 3) for ship manufacturers to provide optimal designs via the effective use of new materials, fabrication procedures, and fire protection systems; and 4) by commercial and military industries to reduce the cost of test-driven design and process iterations with the use of the virtual testing tool. Return