Thermal response of high-speed train multi-layer composite floor structure: Experimental and numerical analysis

Abstract

This study examines the issue of fire resistance in multi-layer composite floor structures for high-speed trains. A standard test was conducted to evaluate the thermal insulation and integrity of the structure, and a 1-D numerical simulation model was established to calculate the fire resistance accurately. The fire resistance test results show that the aluminum profiles and glass wool played an important role in the fire resistance of the high-speed train floor structure. The upper surface temperature of the glass wool remained below 150 °C during the initial 30 min of the fire test, and the glass wool maintained its structural integrity for an additional 4.33 min after the aluminum profile was burnt through. This study validates the established model by comparing the simulation results with the standard structural fire resistance test result. The floor temperature distribution from the numerical simulation is consistent with the experimental results, and the error in integrity and thermal insulation is only 2.6 % and 5.4 % compared with the experimental value.