In-Depth Temperature Measurements of Timber in Fires

Abstract

Modern construction relies more and more on metallic connectors. Their failure during fires is related to the glass transition of the lignin matrix at around 100°C. Based on this information, a series of tests were carried out exposing a wood specimen to various heat fluxes in a Cone Calorimeter. The aim of this research is to develop a sound temperature measurement methodology in wood samples exposed to high heat fluxes and to build a data-base in order to evaluate different wood pyrolysis models. The experiments yielded highly repeatable results that are seldom achieved with wood.