A pseudofield model approach to simulate compartment-fire phenomena for marine fire safety design

In order to prevent the spread of marine compartment fires, it is necessary to understand the governing factors or characteristics of fire-spread phenomena. We present a pseudofield model approach to this problem. We first described a field model of turbulent heat convection based on a standard k – turbulence model. Two-dimensional numerical simulations of a two-linked compartment fire were carried out in order to predict the turbulent convection flow induced by the heat released from the fire. Then a more complicated fire-spread problem of multilinked compartment fires was analyzed by means of a zone model, in which the amounts of oxygen consumption and gas generation were solved by a gas-balance equations system. The effect of threshold conditions on fire propagation and the effect of the thickness of the heat insulation were investigated with numerical simulations.     

Adaptive Yaw Rate Feedback 4WS with Tire/Road Friction Coefficient Estimator

This paper proposes an adaptive yaw rate feedback control system for a four-wheel-steering (4WS) vehicle which involves a tire/road friction coefficient estimator. The adaptive 4WS system has been developed so that the vehicle possesses desirable lateral characteristics even on slippery roads and in critical driving situations. The friction coefficient is estimated on real time from the yaw rate response of the controlled vehicle with the least squares. The control system adopts a two degree of freedom structure which consists of a feedforward compensator and a feedback control subsystem. The feedforward compensator is determined with the estimated friction coefficient to minimize the steady-state and transient vehicle slip angle in spite of changes in tire/road conditions. The feedback subsystem adopts the Internal Model Control (IMC) structure in order to compensate for nonlinearities and to realize robustness against modelling and estimation errors.     

An Advanced Steering System with Active Kinesthetic Feedback for Handling Qualities Improvement

Advanced Steering System with artificial steering wheel torque-active kinesthetic information feedback for improving handling qualities is discussed. Fundamentally the structure of the system may be considered to another form of model following control. In this system, a driver always remains in the control loop and receives steering control information which give him/her a direct hint to steer a steering wheel. This system works as a stability and control augmentation system of the vehicle to improve the vehicle handling qualities both in compensatory and pursuit control task, and is expected to reduce driver's workload. Effects of this system are analyzed in terms of man-machine system characteristics. Identification of driver dynamics was carried out to find why such improvement could be achieved. Availability of the proposed system is verified by analysis, simulator and proving ground tests.     

Risk assessment for fire safety considering characteristic evacuees and smoke movement in marine fires

In the safety design of marine systems, the matter of human life in the event of a marine fire must be considered. It may be difficult to establish a safe evacuation system because a characteristic behavioral pattern based on human factors is elusive. This study consists of three analyses on (1) the state of smoke diffusion, calculated by the use of a two-layer zone model, (2) evacuation movements, simulated by a group behavioral model, and considering the occurrence of panic and the smoke spreading phase, and (3) the risk index for safety assessment using the results of smoke diffusion and escape movements. This risk index can be used for comparisons between various safety systems, and its validity is confirmed by an evacuation model of common spaces on a typical cruise ship.