Research Title
Experimental Investigation of Overpressure Events in Combustible Compartments
Short Abstract
Overpressure events (OPEs)—such as smoke explosions and backdrafts—present extreme hazards to firefighters and building occupants due to their sudden and explosive nature, even in the absence of flammable liquids or gases. Funded by the Fire Safety Research Institute, my research focuses on the experimental investigation of OPE dynamics in combustible compartments using state-of-the-art fire research facilities at the University of Canterbury. The study aims to determine the impact of ventilation opening factors and geometry on OPE initiation, characterize pre-event compartment conditions (gas species and temperature distributions), and quantify peak event intensity based on compartment pressure, opening velocity, and external fireball volume. Additionally, it evaluates the influence of vertical ceiling obstructions (joists and rafters) on OPE severity to support improved fire dynamics modeling and firefighter safety protocols.
Supervisory Team
Main Supervisor: Dr. Aatif Khan
Co-Supervisors: Dr. Andres Valencia, Emeritus Prof. Charles Fleischmann
Research Interests
Compartment fire dynamics and explosive fire phenomena (overpressure events, backdraft, smoke explosions)
Enclosure fire ventilation dynamics and smoke control
Experimental fire testing and thermal data analysis
Numerical modeling using Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) and analytical data processing (Python, MATLAB, R)
Personal Interests
Cricket, swimming, camping, travelling, hiking
Academic History
PhD in Fire Engineering | University of Canterbury, New Zealand (June 2026 – Present)
Research Assistant | State Key Laboratory of Fire Science (SKLFS), University of Science and Technology of China (2020 – 2026)
MSc in Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics | University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, China (2017 – 2020)
BSc in Chemical Engineering | University of Gujrat, Pakistan (2010 – 2014)
Publications
Khalid, S., Wang, Z., Zhou, Y., & Ji, J. (2023). "Numerical modeling on mechanical smoke extraction efficiency of multiple lateral smoke extraction vents system in an immersed tunnel." International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 192, 108548. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2023.108548
Wang, J., Khalid, S., He, F., & Wu, W. (2020). "Electrochemical Kinetic Property Determination of MIECs by Comprehensive Multi-physical Coupling Model." IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 751(1), 012053. DOI 10.1088/1757-899X/751/1/012053
Ullah, H.M.N., Hassan, A., Imran, M. et al. Biocarbon–waste ferrite composites as microwave absorbing material: a promising approach towards a sustainable future. Bull Mater Sci 47, 179 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12034-024-03242-z
Rafiq, M., Khalid, S., Hassan, H. M. U., & Hassan, A. (2023). "Methanol-Supplemented Hierarchical Porous Breath Figure Structure." Journal of Molecular and Engineering Materials, 11(01n02), 2350004. https://doi.org/10.1142/S2251237323500041
