Flame Spread in Laminated Bamboo Structures

Flame spread behaviour of laminated bamboo produced from the species Phyllostachys pubescens (Moso) is characterised herein by determining relevant properties such as thermal conductivity and thermal inertia, which ultimately are correlated with the flame spread rate of the material. A description of the variance of thermal conductivity at temperatures ranging from ambient to 350°C is provided in order to accurately account for possible charring and heat transfer processes taking place at the surface of the samples. Testing for those thermal properties was carried out for both parallel and perpendicular positions of the fibre relative to the heat source. For the actual flame spread characterisation, the theory and methodology associated with the Lateral Ignition and Flame Spread Test (LIFT) apparatus was followed. Piloted ignition and opposed flame spread in lateral configuration framework are used for analysis, making possible to obtain the parameters of the progressed distance of the flame, maximum travelled distance, effective spread and time for extinction. In the same manner, the Flame Spread Parameter, a value that can be used for material classification, is calculated using the thermal inertia of the material at ambient and elevated temperatures. The values obtained for flame spread velocity did not adhere to a specific trend; this condition is possibly due to the formation of cracks and a charring front in the sample
surface during preheating.