Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Calorimetry testing'

Modern buildings increasingly include the usage of innovative materials aimed at improving sustainability and reducing the carbon footprint of the built environment. Phase Change Materials (PCMs) are one such group of novel materials which reduce building energy consumption. These materials are typically flammable and contained within wall linings yet there has been no detailed assessment of their fire performance. Current standard fire test methods provide means to compare similar materials but do not deliver knowledge on how they would behave in the event of a real fire. Thus, the aim of this thesis is to develop a novel testing framework to assess the behaviour of these materials in realistic fire scenarios. For PCMs, a flammability study is conducted in the bench-scale cone calorimeter to evaluate the fire risk associated with these materials. Then, micro-scale Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) is used to identify the fundamental chemical reactions to be able to confidently interpret the flammability results. Finally, intermediate-scale standard fire tests are conducted to evaluate the applicability of the bench-scale results to realistic fire scenarios. These take the form of modified Lateral Ignition and Flame spread Test (LIFT) and Single Burning Item (SBI) tests to understand flame spread and compartment fires respectively. Finally, a simplified method to combine this knowledge for use in building design is proposed. This method allows the balancing of potential energy benefits with quantified fire performance to achieve the specified goals of the designer. Hemp-lime insulation is a material which has also becoming increasingly popular in the drive towards sustainability. The porous nature of the material means that smouldering combustions are the dominant reaction mode but there is currently no standardised test method for this type of behaviour. Thus, hemp-lime materials also represent an unquantified risk. The work in this thesis defines a simple, accessible and economically viable bench-scale method for quantifying the fire risk associated with rigid porous materials. This is applicable for both downward opposed flow and upward forward flow smoulder propagation conditions. The behaviour is then interpreted using micro-scale thermogravimetric analysis to understand the underlying pyrolysis and oxidation reactions. Designers can utilise this framework to quantify the smouldering risk associated with hemp-lime materials to enable their usage in the built environment. The holistic fire risk assessment performed in this thesis has quantified the behaviour of PCMs and hemp-lime insulation applicable to realistic fire scenarios. The simplified design method empowers designers to be able to realise innovative buildings through fundamental understanding of the fire behaviour of these materials. The outcomes of this thesis allow designers to mitigate the fire risk associated with these materials and achieve optimised engineering solutions. Furthermore, the novel fire testing frameworks provide the economically viable means to assess the fire performance of future PCMs and hemp-lime products which ensures lasting relevance of this research in the future.

The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), as potential additives, on the properties and performance of phenolâ formaldehyde (PF) adhesive resin. The steady-state viscosity of a commercial PF resol resin and three CNCâ resin mixtures, containing 1â 3 wt % CNCs, based on solids content, was measured with a rheometer as a function of shear rate. The viscosity of the PF resin itself was independent of shear rate. The viscosityâ shear rate curves of the CNCâ resin mixtures showed two regions, a shear thinning region at lower shear rates and a Newtonian region at higher shear rates. The low-shear-rate viscosity of the resin was greatly increased by the CNCs. The structure of the CNCâ resin mixtures under quiescent conditions was analyzed by polarized light microscopy. The mixtures contained CNC aggregates, which could be disrupted by ultrasound treatment. The curing progressions of the resin and CNCâ resin mixtures were analyzed by non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The DSC curves showed two exotherms followed by an endotherm. The energy of activation for the first exotherm was reduced by the CNCs whereas the energy of activation for the second exotherm was not affected by the CNCs. Increasing CNC contents caused higher degrees of reaction conversion during the first curing stage and a greater loss of sample mass, attributed to formaldehyde release during resin cure. For analysis of the mechanical properties during and after cure, sandwich-type test specimens were prepared from southern yellow pine strips and the resin and CNCâ resin mixtures. The mechanical properties of the test specimens were measured as a function of time and temperature by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The time to incipient storage modulus increase decreased and the rate of relative storage modulus increase increased with increasing CNC content. The ultimate sample stiffness increased with increasing CNC content for CNC contents between 0 and 2 wt %, which was attributed to mechanical reinforcement of the resin by the CNCs. At a CNC content of 3 wt %, the ultimate sample stiffness was lower than at a CNC content of 2 wt % and the second tan δ maximum occurred earlier in the experiment, indicating an earlier onset of vitrification. The lower ultimate sample stiffness was attributed to premature quenching of the curing reactions through CNC-induced depression of the vitrification point. For analysis of the fracture performance, double cantilever beam test specimens were prepared from southern yellow pine beams and the resin and CNCâ resin mixtures, using different hot-pressing times. Fracture energies were measured by mode I cleavage tests. Bondline characteristics were analyzed by light microscopy. At a hot-pressing time of 10 min, the fracture energy decreased with increasing CNC content, whereas it stayed constant for CNC contents between 1 and 3 wt % at a hot-pressing time of 8 min. The bondlines of resin mixtures containing CNCs exhibited voids, whereas those of the pure resin did not. CNCs had both benefitial and detrimental effects on the properties and performace of PF resin.
Master of Science

Disertační práce se zabývá studiem strukturních a mechanických vlastností anorganických materiálů. Cílem je nalezení jednotlivých fází ve zkoumaném materiálu a hlavně lokalizace (mechanicky) nejslabšího místa, jeho ovlivnění a následně výroba materiálu o lepších mechanických vlastnostech. Z důvodu velkého množství použitých metod je základní teorie vložena vždy na začátku příslušné kapitoly. Taktéž z důvodu značného množství výsledků jsou na konci kapitol uvedeny dílčí závěry. Práce je rozdělena na tři části, kdy první se zabývá seznámením s možnostmi modelování mikro-mechanických vlastností a provedením experimentů umožňujících posouzení rozsahu platnosti některého modelu. V druhé části je provedeno shrnutí současných možností indentačních zkoušek pro měření mechanických vlastností strukturních složek betonu a praktické zvládnutí metodiky vhodné k užití pro výzkum materiálů zkoumaných domovským pracovištěm. V třetí části je navržena metoda identifikace nejslabších článků struktury anorganických pojiv a její ověření na konkrétním materiálu zkoumaném na domovském pracovišti. V této dizertační práci jsou použity tyto metody: kalorimetrie, ultrazvukové testování, jednoosá pevnost v tlaku, nanoindentace, korelativní mikroskopie a rastrovací elektronová mikroskopie s energiově disperzním spektrometrem. Dílčími výsledky jsou kompletní charakterizace cementových materiálů, upřesnění stávajících poznatků a nalezení optimálního postupu pro charakterizaci. Hlavním výsledkem je inovativní přístup vedoucí k pozitivnímu ovlivnění materiálu.

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Neste trabalho investigou-se a obtenção do composto TiFe a partir da moagem de alta energia de misturas de pós de TiH2 e Fe, seguida de aquecimento sob vácuo para a reação de síntese. No lugar do Ti, o TiH2 foi escolhido como precursor em razão de sua fragilidade, benéfica para a diminuição da aderência dos pós ao ferramental de moagem. Foram preparados dois lotes de misturas obedecendo-se a relação Ti:Fe de 50:50 e 56:44. Ambos foram processados em um moinho do tipo planetário por tempos que variaram de 5 até 40 horas, sob atmosfera de argônio de elevada pureza. Em todos os experimentos foram mantidos constantes a velocidade de rotação do prato do moinho, a quantidade de amostra, o diâmetro e o número de bolas. As amostras moídas foram caracterizadas por calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), termogravimetria (TG), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), difração de raios X (DRX) e fluorescência de raios X por dispersão de energia (EDXRF). Apenas TiH2 e Fe foram observados nas amostras moídas, com um grau crescente de mistura em função do tempo de moagem. O composto TiFe nanoestruturado (12,5 a 21,4nm) foi obtido de forma majoritária em todas as amostras após a reação de síntese promovida pelo tratamento térmico a 600ºC (873K). As amostras reagidas foram caracterizadas por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET) e DRX. Um equipamento do tipo Sievert, operando sob um fluxo constante (modo dinâmico), foi utilizado para levantar as curvas termodinâmicas de absorção e dessorção de hidrogênio. Todas as amostras absorveram hidrogênio à temperatura ambiente (~298K) sem a necessidade de ciclos térmicos de ativação. Os melhores resultados foram obtidos com as amostras moídas por 25 e 40 horas, de composição não estequiométrica 56:44. Tais amostras absorveram e dessorveram hidrogênio à temperatura ambiente, sob os platôs de aproximadamente 6,4 e 2,2bar (~0,6 e 0,2MPa), respectivamente. A capacidade máxima de armazenamento foi de 1,06% em massa de hidrogênio (H:M~0,546), sob pressão de até 11bar (1,1MPa), com reversão de até 1,085% em massa de hidrogênio (H:M~0,559), sob pressão de até 1bar (0,1MPa). Estas amostras também apresentaram maior cinética de absorção e dessorção de hidrogênio com fluxos de 1,23 (25h) e 2,86cm3/g.min. (40h). Tais resultados são atribuídos à variação composicional da fase TiFe e à maior quantidade de TiH2 livre.
Tese (Doutorado em Tecnologia Nuclear )
IPEN/D
Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Thesis (M.S.)--Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Keywords: material property; thermometer; cone calorimeter; finite difference method; thermoplastic; pyrolysis model; fire dynamics simulators Includes bibliographical references. (p.162-163)

In a society increasingly more influenced by technology and electricity, electrical and computer cables will play a more vital role in humans’ everyday life. With an increasing number of cables being introduced into society, the risk of fires caused by or involving cables will increase and become a more common danger to property and human lives. The fire properties of cables are tested according to Standard EN 50399 where vertically mounted cables are exposed to a burner for 20 minutes. The present work consists of running simulations imitating the conditions of Standard EN 50399 for testing cables using a Computational Fluid Dynamics program called Fire Dynamic Simulator (FDS). The general idea was to test the material in small-scale and running simulations to verify how well simulated values corresponded to values from actual testing, providing a potential less costly method of predicting the correct Euroclass in the development phase of new cables. During a visit at RISE in Borås, material for testing and a script previously used for testing a module of EN 50399 in FDS were obtained from previous work. The FDS script was later altered by adjusting the meshes inside the model in an effort to reduce simulation time. This was done by prioritizing smaller grid cells in high activity areas and using large grid cells in low activity areas. To verify the function of the model on the current version 7.5.0 of the FDS software, simulations were run empty without modelling the cables. To validate the FDS-model, temperatures were measured at four heights using a resemble of plate thermometers and the results were compared to older temperature measurements from an actual experiment using plate thermometers in the apparatus used at RISE when testing in the EN 50399 apparatus. To obtain the material data necessary for FDS, the material used as cable sheeting (surrounding the conductive metal core) molded into thin square plates were tested using a cone calorimeter at Luleå University of Technology. Two tests were conducted at irradiance levels of 50 and 25 kW/m2 where heat release rate was measured. Thenceforth followed 14 repeated tests at varying irradiance levels with the sole purpose of measuring time to ignition. In total 16 experiments were conducted, of which ten resulted in ignition, four of which did not ignite after exposure for 20 minutes and two which were interrupted due to swelling of the sample. After testing in the cone calorimeter, a critical irradiance level and ignition temperature of the material were verified using a theory presented by Janssens (1991). Two ramps – a controlled way of determining the materials heat release over time in FDS – were created based on the two tests at different irradiance levels. Using these new parameters simulations recreating the scenario for testing according to EN 50399 were run using FDS. Three simulations were run, testing different ramps and different implementations of the cables. The results proved it difficult to achieve the same heat release rate for cables simulated using FDS as heat released rate measured at experiments. With the simulations results at hand, in combination with uncertainties regarding material data it became clear the material had proven more difficult then anticipated. A possible reason for the big gap in heat release rate between simulations and experimental values could be considered to be the high ignition temperature given as material input for the cable in FDS.

Understanding the fundamentals of composting science from a pragmatic perspective of necessity involves mixtures of different sizes and types of particles in constantly changing environmental conditions, in particular temperature. The complexity of composting is affected by this environmental variation. With so much "noise" in the system, a question arises as to the need to understand the detail of this complexity as understanding any part of composting with more precision than this level of noise is not likely to result in greater understanding of the system. Yet some compost piles generate offensive odours while others don‟t and science should be able to explain this difference. A driver for this research was greater understanding of potential odour, which is assumed to arise from the anaerobic core of a composting particle. It follows that the size of this anaerobic core could be used as an indicator of odour potential. A first step in this understanding is the need to determine which parts of a composting particle are aerobic, from which the anaerobic proportion can be determined by difference. To this end, this thesis uses a finite volume method of analysis to determine the distribution of oxygen at sub-particle scales. Diffusion laws were used to determine the thickness of each finite volume. The resulting model, called micro-environment analysis, was applied to a composting particle to enable determination of onion ring type volumes of compost (called micro-environments) containing substrates (further subdivided into substrate fractions) whose concentrations could be determined to high precision by the application of first-order degradation kinetics to each of these finite volumes. Determination of the oxygen concentration at a micro-environment's inner boundary was achieved by using the Stępniewski equation. The Stępniewski model was derived originally for application to soil aeration and enables each micro-environment to have its own oxygen uptake rate and diffusion coefficient. This first version of micro-environment analysis was derived from the simpler solution to diffusion laws, based on the assumption of non-diffusible substrate. It was tested against three sets of experimental data with two different substrates: Particle size trials using dog sausage as substrate – where the peak composting rate was successfully predicted, as a function of particle size. Temperature trials using pig faeces and a range of particle sizes – the results showed the potential of micro-environment analysis to identify intriguing temperature effects, in particular, a different temperature effect (Q10) and fraction proportion was indicated for each substrate fraction. Smaller particle sizes, and possibly outward diffusion of substrate confounded a clear experimental signal. Diffusion into a pile trials which showed that the time course of particles deeper in the pile could be predicted by the physics of oxygen distribution. A fully computed prediction would need an added level of computational complexity in micro-environment analysis, arising from there being two intertwined phases, gas phase and substrate (particle) phase. Each phase needs its own micro-environment calculations which can not be done in isolation from each other. Unexplainable parts of the composting time course are likely to be partly explained by the outward diffusion of substrate towards the inward-moving oxygen front. Although the possibility of alternative electron acceptors can not be discounted as a partial explanation. To test the theory, a new experimental reactor was developed using calorimetry. With an absolute sensitivity of 0.132 J hr-1 L-1 and a measurement frequency of 30 minutes, the reactor was able to detect the energy required to humidify the input air, and "see" when composting begins to decline as oxygen is consumed. Optimisation of the aeration pumping frequency using the evidence from the data was strikingly apparent immediately after setting the optimum frequency. Micro-environment analysis provides a framework by which several physical effects can be incorporated into compost science.

Les programmes d’irradiations technologiques menés dans les réacteurs expérimentaux sont d’une importance cruciale pour le soutien du parc électronucléaire actuel en termes d’étude et d’anticipation du comportement sous irradiation des combustibles et des matériaux de structures. Ces programmes permettent d’améliorer la sûreté des réacteurs actuels et également d’étudier les matériaux pour les nouveaux concepts de réacteurs.Les conditions d’irradiations des matériaux dans les réacteurs expérimentaux doivent être représentatives de celles des réacteurs de puissance. Un des principaux intérêts des réacteurs d'irradiations technologiques (Material Testing Reactors, MTRs) est de pouvoir y mener des irradiations instrumentées en ajustant les paramètres expérimentaux, en particulier le flux neutronique et la température. La maîtrise du paramètre température d’un dispositif irradié dans un réacteur expérimental nécessite la connaissance de l'échauffement nucléaire (terme source) dû au dépôt d'énergie des photons et des neutrons interagissant dans le dispositif. La bonne évaluation de cet échauffement est une donnée clé pour les études thermiques de dimensionnement et de sûreté du dispositif.L'objectif de cette thèse est d'améliorer les méthodes d’évaluation de l'échauffement nucléaire en réacteur. Ce travail consiste en l’élaboration d'un schéma de calcul complet innovant, couplé neutron-photon (permettant d’obtenir la contribution des neutrons, des gamma prompts et des gamma de décroissance), fondé principalement sur le code de transport Monte-Carlo TRIPOLI-4 (à 3-dimensions et à énergie continue). Une validation expérimentale du schéma a été effectuée en s’appuyant sur les mesures de calorimétrie réalisées dans le réacteur OSIRIS (CEA Saclay). Des études de sensibilité ont également été menées pour établir l’impact de différents paramètres sur les calculs d’échauffement nucléaire, dont les données nucléaires. Cela a permis de définir le schéma de calcul définitif pour reproduire au plus près la réalité des irradiations technologiques. Le travail de thèse débouche sur un outil opérationnel et prédictif pour l'estimation de l'échauffement nucléaire répondant aux besoins de l’expérimentation en réacteur de recherche et qui peut être étendu plus largement dans des réacteurs de puissance
Technological irradiation programs carried out in experimental reactors are crucial for the support of the current nuclear fleet in terms of study and anticipation of the behavior under irradiation of fuels and structural materials. These programs make it possible to improve the safety of the current reactors and also to study materials for the new concepts of reactors.Irradiation conditions of materials in experimental reactors must be representative of those of nuclear power plants (NPPs). One of the main advantages of material testing reactors (MTRs) is to be able to carry out instrumented irradiations by adjusting experimental parameters, in particular the neutron flux and the temperature. The control of the parameter temperature of a device irradiated in an experimental reactor requires the knowledge of the nuclear heating (source term) due to the deposition of energy of the photons and the neutrons interacting in the device. A relevant evaluation of this heating is a key data for the thermal studies of design and safety of devices. The objective of this thesis is to improve the methods of the evaluation of nuclear heating in reactors. This work consists of the development of an innovating and complete coupled neutron-photon calculation scheme (allowing to obtain the contribution of neutrons, prompt gamma and decay gamma), mainly based on the TRIPOLI-4 Monte Carlo transport code (with 3-dimensions and continuous energy). An experimental validation of the calculation scheme has been performed, based on calorimetry measurements carried out in the OSIRIS reactor (CEA Saclay). Sensitivity studies have been undertaken to establish the impact of various parameters on nuclear heating calculations (in particular nuclear data) and to fix the final calculation scheme to be closer to the technological irradiation aspects. The thesis work leads to an operational and predictive tool for the nuclear heating estimation, meeting the experimentation needs of research reactors and can be extended more generally to NPPs

Composites are the materials which can be used for a wide variety of applications andproducts such as sports equipment, aerospace and marine because of light and stiffnessproperties. Composites are often made from thermoset resin with glass fibers.In this study, two ways of recycling composites were evaluated, which are microwavepyrolysed composites (MGC) and mechanical composites (GC). These glass fibers weregoing to be compounded with Polypropylene (PP) or Maleic Anhydride ModifiedPolypropylene (MAPP) and then injection moulded the sample by Micro-compounder.In order to get better adhesion to the polymer, a coating was added. The Neoxil 5682-polypropylene water emulsion was evaluated.The samples were characterized by Tensile Testing, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA),Different Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) to find aoptimum combination of recycled glass fiber reinforced polymer.Microwave pyrolysis is a new research area. The glass fiber, polymer oil and gas can beobtained by heating the composite with microwaves to in an inert atmosphere. The polymeroil can be distillated and then evaluated with GC-MS; in order to obtain the chemicalcompositions.Keywords: Composites, grinded and microwave pyrolyse composites (MGC), grindedcomposites (GC), Polypropylene (PP), Maleic Anhydride Modified Polypropylene (MAPP),Micro-compounder, Tensile Testing, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Different ScanningCalorimetry (DSC), and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), Microwave pyrolysis,polymer oil, distillation, GCMS Analysis.
Program: MSc in Resource Recovery - Sustainable Engineering

Thesis (M.S. in environmental science)--Washington State University, August 2009.
Title from PDF title page (viewed on Sept. 22, 2009). "School of Earth and Environmental Sciences." Includes bibliographical references (p. 92-97).

Dissertation (Ph.D.)-- Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Keywords: temperature measurement; heat flux maps; Cone Calorimeter; three-dimensional heat conduction; fire growth models; retainer frame; ceramic fiberboard; edge effect; one-dimensional heat conduction; heat flux mapping procedure; infrared camera; specimen preparation; edge frame; one-dimensional heat conduction model; thermal properties. Includes bibliographical references (p.202-204).

碩士
國立交通大學
機械工程系所
94
Fifteen building materials were selected and tested in the Cone Calorimeter and the surface test, respectively, and they were classified by Japanese classification and CNS 6532 accordingly. Tests in the Cone Calorimeter were performed in the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively, under a fixed incident heat flux 50kW/m2. The results from these two orientations show some differences existed in HRR and ignition time. For the flammable material, the measured average values of HRRav_180s, and THR in the horizontal orientation are higher than those in vertical one. The ignition time in horizontal orientation is found shorter. Those indicate that the classification using Cone Calorimeter test in horizontal orientation is stringent. In addition, 7 materials from the previously mentioned 15 ones are selected to test in SBI and classified by EU classification. Correlation based on test results of these materials by using these three different standards are given and discussed. It is found that the smoke generation rate and crack appearance are not included in the performance evaluations in Japanese and EU classifications that causes the different ranks in different test methods. The obtained results in SBI test are compared with the simulated FIGRA from Cone data. It is found that the correlation between SBI and cone calorimeter test in horizontal orientation is better than the corresponding one with the cone calorimeter test in vertical orientation. The correlation between tdθ value of surface test and THR600s of SBI test finds that the value of R2 is 0.75. Correlation between the CA value of surface test and maximum 60s mean value of SPR of SBI test gives the value of R2 is 0.92, indicating that the correlation between the surface and SBI tests are relatively well. From the comparison between HRRav_180s of Cone Calorimeter test in vertical orientation and tdθ value of the surface test, R2 for the correlation is 0.95. The correlated R2 value between Cone Calorimeter test in horizontal orientation and the surface test is 0.96. Apparently, the correlation between the Cone Calorimeter and the surface tests is relatively well. The correlation for ignition time between cone calorimeter test in vertical direction and the one in surface test is relatively well as well.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, 2020
The CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is the largest particle accelerator in the World. This comprises a variety of experiments to investigate the basic structure of matter in the universe. A Toroidal LHC Apparatus (ATLAS) is one of the experiments at CERN that is used to detect particles that result from the proton-proton collisions. The ATLAS detector is a general-purpose detector. During the maintenance periods, the ATLAS Tile Calorimeter (TileCal) detector modules are repaired/fixed. The Front-End (FE) electronics of these TileCal modules are tested and maintained using the MobiDICK system and if they are faulty they are repaired or replaced. The FE readout system, which is housed in the super-drawers, is testedand verified using the MobiDICK system. The upgrade of the LHC to the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) will provide great opportunities to explore new physics beyond the Standard Model. This poses significant challenges to the detector and the Trigger and data acquisition system (TDAQ). The TileCal readout electronics will be replaced during the Phase-II upgrade to cope with the HL-LHC’s increased luminosity. In this study we focus on the certification of the Demonstrator at the particle test beams. The Demonstrator’s latest electronics are being commissioned to be integrated into ATLAS during the LS2. This study presents the early readout certification of the Demonstrator. Due to their properties, such as fast time response and high optical transmission, plastic scintillators are used in particle detectors. The fast pulse generation allows for fast readout, and the intensity of the light is proportional to the energy deposit. Scintillators are used to measure energies and to reconstruct the particles’ path through the luminescence process due to ionizing radiation. However, long exposure to ionizing radiation can cause permanent damage to the scintillators. In this study we focus on the effects of neutron irradiation of plastic scintillators similar to that of the lifetime of the HL-LHC. The plastic scintillator being investigated are the UPS-923A blue scintillators and green scintillators. The optical properties of the irradiated samples are studied using the techniques of light yield measurements
CK2021

It is critical for the construction industry to ensure that new building designs and materials, including wall and floor assemblies, provide an acceptable level of fire safety. A key fire safety requirement that is specified in building codes is the minimum fire resistance rating. A manufacturer of building materials (e.g., insulation or drywall) is currently required to perform full-scale fire furnace tests in order to determine the fire resistance ratings of assemblies that use their products. Due to the cost of these tests, and the limited number of test facilities, it can be difficult to properly assess the impact of changes to individual components on the overall fire performance of an assembly during the design process. It would be advantageous to be able to use small-scale fire tests for this purpose, as these tests are relatively inexpensive to perform. One challenge in using results of small-scale fire tests to predict full-scale fire performance is the difficulty in truly representing a larger product or assembly using a small-scale test specimen. Another challenge is the lack of established methods of scaling fire test results. Cone calorimeter tests were used to measure heat transfer through small-scale specimens that are representative of generic wall assemblies for which fire resistance ratings are given in the National Building Code of Canada. Test specimens had a surface area of 111.1 mm (4.375 in.) by 111.1 mm (4.375 in.), and consisted of single or double layers of gypsum board, stone wool insulation and spruce-pine-fir (SPR) studs. As the specimens were designed to represent a one-quarter scale model of a common wall design, with studs spaced at a centre-to-centre distance of 406.4 mm (16 in.), the wood studs were made by cutting nominal 2x4 studs (38 mm by 89 mm) into 9.25 mm by 89 mm (0.375 in. by 3.5 in.) pieces. The scaled studs were then spaced at a centre-to-centre distance of 101.6 mm (4 in.). Three types of gypsum board were tested: 12.7 mm (0.5 in.) regular and lightweight gypsum board, and 15.9 mm (0.625 in.) type X gypsum board. Temperature measurements were made at various points within the specimens during 70 min exposures to an incident heat flux of 35, 50 and 75 kW/m2 using 24 AWG Type K thermocouples and an infrared thermometer. Temperature measurements made during cone calorimeter tests were compared with temperature measurements made during fire resistance tests of the same generic assemblies and the result show a very good agreement for the first 25 min of testing at the unexposed side. A one-dimensional conduction heat transfer model was developed using the finite difference method in order to predict temperatures within the small-scale wall assemblies during the cone calorimeter tests. Constant and temperature-dependent thermal properties were used in the model, in order to study the effects of changes to materials and thermal properties on fire performance. A comparison of predicted and measured temperatures during the cone calorimeter tests of the generic wall assemblies is presented in this thesis. The model had varying degrees of success in predicting temperature profiles obtained in the cone calorimeter tests. Predicted and measured times for temperatures to reach 100C and 250C on the unexposed side of the gypsum board layer closest to the cone heater were generally within 10%. There was less agreement between predicted and measured times to reach 600C at this location, and the temperature increase on the unexposed side of the test specimen. The model did not do a good job in predicting temperatures in the insulated double layer walls. Sensitivity studies show that the thermal conductivity of the gypsum board has the most significant impact on the predicted temperature.