When is a screening level analysis not sufficient? Often, a screening level analysis does not provide the high fidelity modeling required for an in-depth analysis of complex hazard scenarios. BakerRisk can show you why using the right model can make all the difference in managing your hazards more effectively.

For these solutions, we have comprehensive and extensive experience in research, development, and the application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools to simulate dispersion, explosion, and fire-related phenomena. BakerRisk has developed our own BWTI© code for blast wave modeling, and we regularly use a variety of other industry-accepted commercial simulation software packages.

BWTI©

BWTI© (Blast Wave Target Interaction) was developed by BakerRisk to simulate the generation and propagation of blast and shock waves and their interaction with structures. The code is capable of modeling blast waves resulting from VCEs, bursting pressure vessels, and high explosive detonations. The main application areas for this code are engineering-level analyses involving scenarios where blast wave shielding and focusing are relevant.

BWTI CFD sample
FLACS sample

FLACS

The FLACS (FLame ACceleration Simulator) CFD code is utilized by BakerRisk in many projects to model flammable gas release and dispersions, VCE (vapor cloud explosions) blast loads, as well as heat exhaust plumes and dispersion for both on-shore and off-shore facilities. FLACS can be used for the evaluation of VCE hazards at on-shore facilities such as refineries and chemical processing plants, but it is better known for its capabilities in the offshore industry. The code is also capable of modeling explosion mitigation features (e.g., grating, vent panels and openings, water spray, etc.) used for the management of explosion hazards.

FDS

FDS (Fire Dynamics Simulator), developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology of the US Department of Commerce, is a fire-driven fluid flow model. FDS is designed to model heat and smoke transport from fires but can also be used for other low-speed fluid flow simulations that do not necessarily include fire or thermal effects. Smokeview, a companion program used to produce images and animations, is an integral part of the physical model to assess the visibility within a fire compartment.

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