Summary

• Context and research themes
• Research axes
• Specialties and researchers
• Facilities and techniques
• Partnership and research networks

Context and research themes

The laboratory’s role is, on the one hand, to improve the understanding of fire and associated phenomena, particularly fires concerning nuclear facitilies, and on the other hand, to produce methods and associated tools to support the development and use of mathematical software.

One of the laboratory’s activities is the production, improvement and validation of mathematical fire simulation software, based on the interpretation of the results of experiments obtained mostly as part of the programmes conducted by the IRSN. In this respect, the LIE plays an important role in the specification and interpretation of experimental programmes. Two software simulating fire behaviour in installations consisting of several ventilated rooms are developed: Sylvia (simplified approach) and Isis (detailed 3-D modelling of physical phenomena).

Research axes

The LIE also supports the laboratories of the IRSN in terms of: 

• Development of mathematical methods for solving partial derivative equations (PDE) related to the physics of transfers (mathematical fluid mechanics, incompressible or slightly compressible flows). 
• Modelling of uncertainties. 
• Sensitivity analysis (multivariate analysis, construction of response surfaces). 
• Software engineering (object-oriented software design for scientific calculations). 
• Data analysis (development of tools for processing experimental data and signals).

In this field, the LIE is developing the following softwares:

• the Pelicans library of software components for solving partial derivative equations
• the Sunset code for uncertainty and sensitivity analysis.

The LIE has acquired skills in the following areas: 

• thermal processes (conduction, convection and radiation), 
• fluid mechanics of flows of turbulent and reactive gases, 
• transport and sedimentation of aerosols, 
• combustion (turbulent diffusion of flames), organic fuels (solids, liquids).

List of researchers and engineers: