Stability Monitoring of Burning Structures Based on Fire-induced Vibration Monitoring

Abstract

Monitoring stability loss in burning structures can provide firefighters with valuable information during operations. A fireinduced vibration based monitoring technique, developed under previously funded research and development efforts and in collaboration with the Building Fire Research Laboratory (BFRL) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has been field demonstrated in over 30 full-scale burn tests. The technique relies on the interpretation of characteristic response behavior induced in a burning structure that can be associated with changing structural conditions and stability loss. An overview of the important aspects necessary for a practical implementation in the field is presented.