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KFC edited this page Apr 25, 2025 · 1 revision

Research Context

This page details the research background, objectives, methodology, and significance behind the StructoPyre project, based on the thesis paper: "DEVELOPING AN INTEGRATED FIRE SIMULATION WEB-APP FOR STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY AND EVACUATION DYNAMICS' WITH REFERENCE TO ACI 216.1-14(19)".

Background & Motivation

Fire incidents pose a significant global threat, compromising building structures rapidly and endangering lives. Even robust materials like concrete degrade under high temperatures, losing strength and potentially leading to collapse. While sophisticated fire simulation tools like Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS), CFAST, and PyroSim exist, they often face challenges:

  • Complexity: Requiring detailed input data and significant user expertise.
  • Computational Cost: Demanding substantial resources, limiting use by smaller organizations.
  • Accessibility: Often non-mobile, expensive, and involving complex licensing, hindering widespread adoption, particularly in regions like the Philippines.
  • Validation Needs: Often require extensive experimental data for verification.

This lack of accessible, user-friendly tools creates gaps in preparedness and reliance on potentially outdated methods. StructoPyre aims to bridge this gap by leveraging web technologies to create a more accessible simulation tool focused on structural integrity and evacuation dynamics, grounded in established engineering standards.

Problem Statement

Many existing fire simulation software solutions remain non-mobile and feature complex interfaces, making them challenging to navigate and limiting adoption. High costs, complicated licensing, technical requirements, and limited distribution further restrict access, particularly for smaller companies and individuals. This reduced adoption leads to inefficiencies and potential compromises in safety analysis and preparedness.

This research addresses the need for a more accessible and user-friendly fire simulation tool by answering:

  1. What are the features of the developed fire simulation web-app for structural integrity and evacuation dynamics with reference to ACI 216.1-14(19)?
  2. What are the limitations of the web-app?
  3. What is the social acceptability of the developed web-app among target users (e.g., Fire and Safety Officers)?

Research Objectives

The primary objectives of this study are:

  • To develop an accessible fire simulation web-app for structural integrity and evacuation dynamics with reference to ACI 216.1-14(19).
  • To determine the limitations of the web-app.
  • To identify the social acceptability of the web-app.

Core Standard: ACI 216.1-14(19)

StructoPyre's structural analysis component is based on ACI 216.1-14(19): Standard Method for Determining Fire Resistance of Concrete and Masonry Construction Assemblies, published by the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and The Masonry Society (TMS).

  • Purpose: This standard provides guidelines and calculation methods for evaluating the fire resistance (in hours) of concrete and masonry structures.
  • Relevance: It ensures that designs meet safety and performance criteria during a fire, covering aspects like minimum thickness for barrier resistance and minimum concrete cover for protecting reinforcement, based on material properties (like aggregate type) and structural conditions (like restraint).
  • Application: StructoPyre uses the prescriptive methods (tables, figures, basic formulas) from this standard (specifically Chapter 4 on Concrete, formerly Chapter 2 in older versions) to calculate the fire resistance time of elements within the simulation.

Methodology Overview

The project follows a structured research and development process:

  1. Title Development & Data Gathering: Initial concept refinement, extensive research on fire simulation, ACI standards, web technologies, and patent searching.
  2. Ex-Ante Analysis: Literature review of existing fire simulation software, focusing on trends, accessibility, cost, and computational techniques.
  3. Web-Application Development:
    • Simulation App: Built using Unity 6 (C#).
    • Hosting Website: Developed using Visual Studio Code (JavaScript/React).
    • Backend (Planned): Utilizing Google Cloud or AWS if necessary.
  4. Pilot Testing: Internal testing using predefined scenarios on web and mobile platforms to identify issues and optimize performance.
  5. Field Testing: Gathering feedback from Fire and Safety Officers (sampled from stations and offices throughout Bicol using Survey Questionnaires (Likert Scale + suggestions) focused on features, accessibility, and usability to assess system efficiency and social acceptability.

Significance of the Study

This research and the resulting StructoPyre application aim to benefit:

  • Community: Enhancing safety through potentially improved fire-resilient design awareness.
  • Government: Providing data that could inform fire response strategies and potentially reduce disaster impact.
  • Engineers: Offering a potentially more accessible tool for evaluating fire resistance in concrete structures during early design phases.
  • Fire Officers/Practitioners: Aiding in understanding structural behavior during fires, potentially informing operational tactics and training.
  • Future Researchers: Serving as a foundation and related study for further development in accessible fire simulation and safety tools.

For complete details on the research methodology, findings, and references, please contact us

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