A multi-physics framework model towards coupled fire-structure interaction for Flax/PP composite beams

In this paper, a coupled fire-structure model combining the finite volume and finite element methods, which captures the essential physics of the problem has been developed. The model is based on a multi-physics framework where the essential physics pertaining to the combustion process of the fire and resultant thermo-mechanical response of the structure, in particular, of natural fibre reinforced composites, has been incorporated. In addition, a relatively new concept of adiabatic surface temperature has been introduced as a practical means to transfer data between fire and thermal/structural models at the gas-solid interface. The model predicts the temperature, stress distribution and deformation behaviour of composite beams under combined thermal and mechanical loads.