Research on the Characteristics of Fire Smoke Layer in Cable Compartment of Utility Tunnel

The vertical position of the smoke layer within the cable compartment of a utility tunnel plays a pivotal role in governing the dynamics of smoke emission. Given the scarcity of existing research in this area, the present study utilizes numerical simulation experiments based on a full-scale model to explore fire behavior within the cable compartment. Various factors, including the heat release rate (HRR), the dimensions of the cable compartment, and the location of the fire source, are systematically varied. Temperature distributions at specified measurement points within the cable compartment of the utility tunnel are meticulously documented and subjected to comprehensive data analysis. The findings indicate that as the HRR within the cable compartment of the utility tunnel escalates, the height of the smoke layer diminishes. Conversely, as the height of the cable compartment increases, the average height of the smoke layer exhibits a gradual increase, demonstrating a linear relationship. However, as the width of the cable compartment expands, the average height of the smoke layer decreases progressively. This study offers significant insights into the longitudinal dissemination characteristics of thermal smoke within the cable compartment of a utility tunnel during a fire incident. © (2025), (International Association of Engineers). All rights reserved.