Distributed temperature sensor model for linear heat detection in tunnel fires
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study contains a proposed method to implement distributed temperature sensing systems in tunnel fire simulations. A review of the investigations was carried out, and previous research on linear heat detection was conducted. The characteristics and operational parameters of a complete DTS-based LHD system in a road tunnel are presented. A heat transfer model of the DTS sensor cable for CFD modelling was developed based on experiments in the standardized EN 54-5 wind tunnel for testing heat sensors. Based on the data analysis, substitute physical properties of the sensor cable were selected for the heat transfer model, to allow implementation of the DTS model in CFD. Concurrently, an RTI value of 90 was approximated, to compare the model with the response-time model commonly used in fire engineering analyses. To validate the model, two full-scale fire tests were carried out in a road tunnel in Świnoujście, Poland, and CFD numerical simulations were performed with the proposed DTS model. The relative error of detection time prediction was 2.97% for the case with low velocity, and successfully predicted no detection in the case with high velocity (>1 m/s). The developed model allows to tracking temperature changes of the DTS sensor cable with satisfactory precision and can be applied in various tunnel fire analyses.
Language: English
Subfield: Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,820
OpenAlex ID: W4414344332