TY - JOUR A1 - Sadowski, A. A1 - Seidel, M. A1 - Al-Lawati, H. A1 - Azizi, E. A1 - Balscheit, Hagen A1 - Böhm, M. A1 - Chen, Lei A1 - van Dijk, I. A1 - Doerich-Stavridis, C. A1 - Kunle Fajuyitan, O. A1 - Filippidis, A. A1 - Winther Fischer, A. A1 - Fischer, C. A1 - Gerasimidis, S. A1 - Karampour, H. A1 - Kathirkamanathan, L. A1 - Subramanian, S. A1 - Topkaya, Cem A1 - Wagner, H. N. R. A1 - Wang, J. A1 - Wang, J. A1 - Kumar Yadav, K. A1 - Yun, X. A1 - Zhang, P. T1 - 8-MW wind turbine tower computational shell buckling benchmark - Part 1: An international ‘round-robin’ exercise N2 - An assessment of the elastic-plastic buckling limit state for multi-strake wind turbine support towers poses a particular challenge for the modern finite element analyst, who must competently navigate numerous modelling choices related to the tug-of-war between meshing and computational cost, the use of solvers that are robust to highly nonlinear behaviour, the potential for multiple near-simultaneously critical failure locations, the complex issue of imperfection sensitivity and finally the interpretation of the data into a safe and economic design. This paper reports on an international ‘round-robin’ exercise conducted in 2022 aiming to take stock of the computational shell buckling expertise around the world which attracted 29 submissions. Participants were asked to perform analyses of increasing complexity on a standardised benchmark of an 8-MW multi-strake steel wind turbine support tower segment, from a linear elastic stress analysis to a linear bifurcation analysis to a geometrically and materially nonlinear buckling analysis with imperfections. The results are a showcase of the significant shell buckling expertise now available in both industry and academia. This paper is the first of a pair. The second paper presents a detailed reference solution to the benchmark, including an illustration of the Eurocode-compliant calibration of two important imperfection forms. KW - Wind turbine tower KW - Computational KW - Shell buckling KW - Benchmark PY - 2023 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2023.107124 SN - 1350-6307 VL - 148 SP - 1 EP - 23 PB - Elsevier Science CY - Oxford AN - OPUS4-57019 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Manes, M. A1 - El Houssami, M. A1 - Campbell, R. A1 - Sauca, A. A1 - Rush, D. A1 - Hofmann-Böllinghaus, Anja A1 - Andersson, P. A1 - Wagner, P. A1 - Veeneklaas, J. A1 - van Hees, P. A1 - Guillaume, E. T1 - Closing Data Gaps and Paving the Way for Pan-European Fire Safety Efforts: Part I—Overview of Current Practices for Fire Statistics N2 - The analysis of the current state of fire statistics and data collection in Europe and other countries is needed to increase awareness of how fire incidents affect buildings and to support pan-European fire prevention and fire mitigation measures. The terminology and data collected regarding fire incidents in buildings in the EU Member States were mapped to obtain meaningful datasets to determine common terminology, collection methodology, and data interpretation system. An extensive literature review showed that fire data collection systems have been instrumental in informing firefighting strategies, evidence-based planning, prevention, and educational programmes. Differences and similarities between fire data collection systems were also investigated. The amount and quality of the information in fire statistical recording systems appear to be influenced by the complexity and structure with which the data are collected. The analysis also examined the existing fire statistics in the EU Member States and a few other countries. Finally, a detailed investigation of the number of fires, fire deaths, and injuries from 2009 to 2018 in several countries was examined based on data from a report by CTIF. The trends showed differences attributable to the existing fire statistical practices in terms of terminology and data collection, and interpretation. Part II proposes a common terminology for selected fire statistical variables. The results provide relevant information regarding fire safety at the European level and should be used to guide the development of more uniform fire statistics across Europe. KW - Fire statistics KW - European project PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-575711 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10694-023-01415-6 SN - 1572-8099 SP - 1 EP - 44 PB - Springer CY - Heidelberg AN - OPUS4-57571 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Manes, M. A1 - Sauca, A. A1 - El Houssami, M. A1 - Andersson, P. A1 - McIntyre, C. A1 - Campbell, R. A1 - Rush, D. A1 - Hofmann-Böllinghaus, Anja A1 - Wagner, P. A1 - Leene, M. A1 - Oberhagemann, D. A1 - Jomaas, G. A1 - Grone, F. A1 - Guillaume, E. T1 - Closing Data Gaps and Paving the Way for Pan-European Fire Safety Efforts: Part II—Terminology of Fire Statistical Variables N2 - A well-defined terminology of fire-related variables is important for correct analyses and supporting knowledge-based decisions regarding the evaluation of building fires at the European level. After developing an overview of current practices for fire statistics in Part I, the terminology used and the data collected by the EU Member States and eight other countries regarding fire incidents, property damage and human losses were mapped to increase awareness of their practice and support a comprehensive assessment of several fire statistical datasets. A questionnaire was distributed to relevant authorities responsible for the collection, elaboration/analysis, and fire statistical data publications to define and select the essential variables for an appropriate fire assessment and fire incident description. Based on the results of the questionnaire able to identify the essential fire statistical variables and a detailed analysis of current definitions adopted in the fire statistics of the EU Member States and other countries, a common terminology is proposed to collect the necessary data in the EU Member States and obtain meaningful datasets based on standardised terms and definitions. The results will generate essential outputs to move towards harmonised fire statistics at the EU level and contribute to an appropriate analysis able to improve fire prevention and fire mitigation in building fires. KW - Fire statistics PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-575725 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10694-023-01408-5 SN - 1572-8099 SP - 1 EP - 32 PB - Springer CY - Heidelberg AN - OPUS4-57572 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wagner, Jan A1 - Häfner, P. A1 - Reimann, H.-A. A1 - Schartel, Bernhard T1 - Valorization of Natural Fibers in Flame Retarded Poly(lactic acid) N2 - Extensive research has explored natural fiber reinforced composites, typically focusing on a single fiber within a polymer matrix. Comprehensive comparisons across different natural fibers in the same polymer, which are critical for industrial material selection, remain limited. This work presents a systematic comparison of untreated hemp, flax, and sisal fibers incorporated at varying fiber lengths and loadings into flame retarded poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Fire behavior, thermal, and mechanical responses were investigated through thermogravimetry, UL 94, and cone calorimetry, alongside crystallinity, molecular weight (MW), and microstructural analysis. Fiber incorporation reduced the peak heat release rate (pHRR) by up to 30 % in 30 wt% hemp, attributed to protective layer formation, but increased flammability in UL 94. A phytic acid melamine salt combined with expandable graphite and 20 wt% hemp produced incomplete combustion at 50 kW/m², raising char residue from 4 to 24 wt% and halving pHRR. Petrella plots revealed that fiber addition alone lowered fire load and flashover propensity as effectively as phytic acid melamine; with hemp, phytic acid and expendable graphite, the flashover hazard and fire load were halved. MW was preserved while crystallinity and modulus increased with fiber content. Hemp delivered the most consistent reinforcement, while optimized processing enabled flax and sisal to improve stiffness. Performance gains were strongest when individual fibers were dispersed via optimized processing, preventing bundle fracture under load. Plasma modification of the fibers improved the maximum tensile strength in the composites. A practical guide is provided for valorizing natural fibers in PLA composites, demonstrating routes to bio-based, compostable materials with improved fire safety and mechanical performance suitable for industrial processing. KW - Poly(lactic acid) KW - Hemp KW - Sisal KW - Flax KW - Flame retardant KW - Phytic acid PY - 2026 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-653038 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2025.114575 SN - 2352-4928 VL - 50 SP - 1 EP - 41 PB - Elsevier Ltd. AN - OPUS4-65303 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wagner, Jan A1 - Dudziak, Mateusz A1 - Falkenhagen, Jana A1 - Rockel, Daniel A1 - Reimann, H.-A A1 - Schartel, Bernhard T1 - This is the way: An evidence based route to phytic-acid–based flame retardant poly(lactide acid) N2 - A systematic sequence of materials was investigated to develop phytic-acid (Phyt)–based flame retarded poly (lactide acid) (PLA), while factoring in molecular weight (MW), crystallinity and mechanical properties. Synergistic approaches were developed based on combinations with lignin and expandable graphite (EG), as well as by applying different Phyt salts of melamine (Mel), piperazine (Pip), and arginine (Arg). Compounds were twin screw extruded, injection molded, hot pressed and investigated with thermal analysis, size exclusion chromatography, infrared spectroscopy, tensile testing, limited oxygen index (LOI), UL 94, cone calorimeter, and scanning electron microscope. 16.7 wt.% flame retardant (FR) slightly enhances crystallization while MW remains unchanged in PLA Phyt Arg and PLA Phyt Mel. LOI was improved to 43.7 vol.% for PLA Phyt Arg, UL 94 V0 achieved for PLA Phyt Pip. Cone calorimeter results show total heat evolved reduced by 14 %, maximum average rate of heat emission 43 % lower, and peak heat release rate reduced by 50 % for PLA Phyt Mel. Phyt Mel combined with EG increased the char yield of PLA to 20 wt.% and 15.5 wt.% at 600 and 900 ◦C, respectively. Phyt is exploited to enhance char yield, stabilize the intumescent char, and lower the apparent effective heat of combustion. The combination of Phyt Mel and EG was proposed as an efficient FR for PLA via an evidence based developing route. KW - Polylactide acid KW - Intumescent flame retardant KW - Phosphorous flame retardant KW - Phytic acid KW - Expandable graphite KW - Melamine PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-626395 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111242 SN - 1873-2321 SN - 0141-3910 VL - 234 SP - 1 EP - 14 PB - Elsevier Ltd. AN - OPUS4-62639 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -