Kinetic Pyrolysis Model for the Thermal Degradation Process of Wet Wood Subjected to Fire

This study compares the kinetic pyrolysis model to the thermal model in Eurocode 5 (EN 1995-1-1:2004 in Eurocode 5: design of timber structures—part 1: general rules and rules for buildings. European Committee for Standardization, Brussels, Belgium, 2004 [1]) regarding the thermal profiles, mass transfer, and charring depths to represent the thermal degradation of wet wood under the standard ISO 834-1 (ISO 834-1:1999 in Fire-resistance tests—elements of building construction—part 1: general requirements. Int Organ Stand, 1999 [16]) fire curve. The numerical model is applied to some examples of 2D and 3D thermal models using a user subroutine called Umatht in Abaqus (Abaqus in User manuals v. 6.14, Dassault systems. Simulia Corp., 2016 [12]): cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels, dowelled connections between steel and wood, and panel. The acquired results demonstrate that in comparison with the model in Eurocode 5, the kinetic (pyrolysis) model is better able to simulate the thermal deterioration process that occurs in wet wood when exposed to fire.