James Ierardi - Past Projects

Master's Thesis | Major Qualifying Project | Interactive Qualifying Project | TASCflow Tutorial | TASCmesh Mesh Generator

Master's Thesis: Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of Post-Collision Vehicle Fires

James Ierardi and Prof. Jonathan R. Barnett
Abstract: The interaction between the heat flux and fluid flow of an engine compartment fire and the windshield of a post-collision passenger vehicle has been studied using analytical methods. A computational fluid dynamics model of this scenario has been developed with TASCflow using a turbulent, reacting, multi-component fluid flow in a multi-grid domain with conjugate heat transfer objects. A group of computer programs have also been created to automate the grid generation and model construction processes. Calculation tools have also been developed using aspects of fire dynamics for the purpose of making comparisons to the results of CFD modeling as well as experimental measurements. A framework has been established for the modeling and validation of the windshield problem using the tools developed in this study. This research has been sponsored by General Motors Research Corporation pursuant to the GM/DOT settlement agreement. Back to top

Major Qualifying Project: BRANZFIRE 2: Improving Flame Spread and Smoke Movement in a Zone Model

James Ierardi, David LeBlanc, and Prof. Jonathan R. Barnett The purpose of this project was to improve the BRANZFIRE zone model by addressing aspects of fire dynamics as well as the mathematical solution. A new flame spread model developed by Quintiere specifically for the Room-Corner Test (ISO 9705) was adapted for use with heat release rate data from the Cone Calorimeter. This is one of BRANZFIRE's unique features in that it is able to predict a heat release rate curve based on Cone Calorimeter data rather than from a mathematical model (such as a t2 fire) or from an expensive full scale test. The model was extended from a single room zone model to accomidate up to four rooms. This project has resulted in a paper will be published in the Fire Safety Journal and be presented in August at the Second International Conference on Fire Research and Engineering as well as at the ASME National Heat Transfer Conference. Back to top

Interactive Qualifying Project: Public Policy in Urban Watershed Modeling

TASCflow Tutorial Web Site

This site was developed by David LeBlanc and myself as part of an independent study "CFD Applications in Fire Modeling" for Prof. Jonathan Barnett. This site introduces students taking FP 520: "Fire Dynamics II" at Worcester Polytechnic Institute to the Computational Fluid Dynamics modeling software TASCflow v2.6 which offers a graphical user interface for both input and the visualization of model output. This site is also used by students at remote sites taking Fire Protection Engineering courses through WPI's Advanced Distance Learning Network. Back to top

TASCmesh (beta) -- Mesh Generator for TASCflow

This program creates rectangles and parallelograms for use in TASCflow. Multiple objects can be created with TASCmesh and then attached with TASCbob3d. TASCmesh does in under one minute what used to take hours doing it the old fashioned way (starting from scratch creating gdf, cdf, sdf and idf files). Although TASCmesh was designed for use on WPI's machines, the program can be used on other systems running TASCflow by simply specifying the correct path to TASCflow's program files in the tascmesh.c file before compiling the program.

Download Instructions

Download TASCmesh Unzip the file (preferably in your root directory). >gunzip Tascmesh.tar.gz Untar the file. >tar -zxof Tascmesh.tar Execute the install program. >make

Using TASCmesh

TASCmesh is run from within the TASCmesh directory by typing tascmesh at the prompt. This beta release allows for the creation of rectangles and parallelograms at the moment, however, future releases will allow for the creation of cylindrical objects as well as the capability to create trapeziods and formulating an aribitrary six-sided object. Complex geometries can be attained by using Tascbob3d's grid attaching capabilities on simpler objects created using TASCmesh. Bug Reports Please report all bugs, comments, suggestions, and questions to ierardi@wpi.edu. Your opinions with respect to TASCmesh's ease of use and functionality will be greatly appreciated and used to improve the program.
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Email: ierardi@wpi.edu
Created on ... November 19, 2001