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A Finite Element Model of Skin Subjected to a Flash Fire
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1994
Year
EngineeringMechanical EngineeringDermatologyComputational MechanicsBurnsMechanicsFire ProtectionThermal Physical PropertiesFire ResistanceVariable PropertyModeling And SimulationThermodynamicsSkin SubjectedFire SafetyStructural Fire SafetyBurn ManagementHeat TransferFinite Element ModelBurn PredictionsFlash FireWound HealingMedicineThermal EngineeringFire Safety ScienceMultiscale Modeling
A variable‑property, multilayer finite element model was developed to predict skin temperatures and burn times under simulated flash‑fire conditions. The model incorporated variable thermal properties, performed a sensitivity analysis to property variations, and compared its predictions with the closed‑form solution of Pennes’ bioheat equation. Property variations minimally affected second‑degree burn predictions but significantly altered third‑degree predictions, and the blood perfusion term in Pennes’ equation could be omitted for flash‑fire burn predictions.
A variable property, multiple layer finite element model was developed to predict skin temperatures and times to second and third degree burns under simulated flash fire conditions. A sensitivity study of burn predictions to variations in thermal physical properties of skin was undertaken using this model. It was found that variations in these properties over the ranges used in multiple layer skin models had minimal effects on second degree burn predictions, but large effects on third degree burn predictions. It was also found that the blood perfusion source term in Pennes' bioheat transfer equation could be neglected in predicting second and third degree burns due to flash fires. The predictions from this model were also compared with those from the closed form solution of this equation, which has been used in the literature for making burn predictions from accidents similar to flash fires.