scholarly journals Wind Loading on Scaled Down Fractal Tree Models of Major Urban Tree Species in Singapore

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 803
Author(s):  
Woei-Leong Chan ◽  
Yong Eng ◽  
Zhengwei Ge ◽  
Chi Wan Calvin Lim ◽  
Like Gobeawan ◽  
...  

Estimation of the aerodynamic load on trees is essential for urban tree management to mitigate the risk of tree failure. To assess that in a cost-effective way, scaled down tree models and numerical simulations were utilized. Scaled down tree models reduce the cost of experimental studies and allow the studies to be conducted in a controlled environment, namely in a wind or water tunnel, but the major challenge is to construct a tree model that resembles the real tree. We constructed 3D-printed scaled down fractal tree models of major urban tree species in Singapore using procedural modelling, based on species-specific growth processes and field statistical data gathered through laser scanning of real trees. The tree crowns were modelled to match the optical porosity of real trees. We developed a methodology to model the tree crowns using porous volumes filled with randomized tetrahedral elements. The wind loads acting on the tree models were then measured in the wind tunnel and the velocity profiles from selected models were captured using particle image velocimetry (PIV). The data was then used for the validation of Large Eddy Simulations (LES), in which the trees were modelled via a discretized momentum sink with 10–20 elements in width, height, and depth, respectively. It is observed that the velocity profiles and drag of the simulations and the wind tunnel tests are in reasonable agreement. We hence established a clear relationship between the measured bulk drag on the tree models in the wind tunnel, and the local drag coefficients of the discretized elements in the simulations. Analysis on the bulk drag coefficient also shows that the effect of complex crown shape could be more dominant compared to the frontal optical porosity.

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 692
Author(s):  
MD Abdul Mueed Choudhury ◽  
Ernesto Marcheggiani ◽  
Andrea Galli ◽  
Giuseppe Modica ◽  
Ben Somers

Currently, the worsening impacts of urbanizations have been impelled to the importance of monitoring and management of existing urban trees, securing sustainable use of the available green spaces. Urban tree species identification and evaluation of their roles in atmospheric Carbon Stock (CS) are still among the prime concerns for city planners regarding initiating a convenient and easily adaptive urban green planning and management system. A detailed methodology on the urban tree carbon stock calibration and mapping was conducted in the urban area of Brussels, Belgium. A comparative analysis of the mapping outcomes was assessed to define the convenience and efficiency of two different remote sensing data sources, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and WorldView-3 (WV-3), in a unique urban area. The mapping results were validated against field estimated carbon stocks. At the initial stage, dominant tree species were identified and classified using the high-resolution WorldView3 image, leading to the final carbon stock mapping based on the dominant species. An object-based image analysis approach was employed to attain an overall accuracy (OA) of 71% during the classification of the dominant species. The field estimations of carbon stock for each plot were done utilizing an allometric model based on the field tree dendrometric data. Later based on the correlation among the field data and the variables (i.e., Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, NDVI and Crown Height Model, CHM) extracted from the available remote sensing data, the carbon stock mapping and validation had been done in a GIS environment. The calibrated NDVI and CHM had been used to compute possible carbon stock in either case of the WV-3 image and LiDAR data, respectively. A comparative discussion has been introduced to bring out the issues, especially for the developing countries, where WV-3 data could be a better solution over the hardly available LiDAR data. This study could assist city planners in understanding and deciding the applicability of remote sensing data sources based on their availability and the level of expediency, ensuring a sustainable urban green management system.


1966 ◽  
Vol 70 (667) ◽  
pp. 724-725 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Cockrell ◽  
B. E. Lee

The production of required velocity profiles in a duct or wind tunnel is a necessary part of much research aimed at understanding fluid behaviour. Perhaps the most obvious application is the simulation of wind gradients for the study of wind effects on structures, but equally important is the study of diffuser and duct behaviour when subjected to a variety of known and convenient velocity profiles. Furthermore, the effects of the variation in turbulence characteristics within a range of identical velocity profiles produced by different methods are not clearly understood.


Author(s):  
Keum-Yong Park ◽  
Yeol-Hun Sung ◽  
Jae-Hung Han

AbstractA cable-driven model support concept is suggested and implemented in this paper. In this case, it is a cable suspension and balance system (CSBS), which has the advantages of low support interference and reduced vibration responses for effective wind tunnel tests. This system is designed for both model motion control and aerodynamic load measurements. In the CSBS, the required position or the attitude of the test model is realized by eight motors, which adjust the length, velocity, and acceleration of the corresponding cables. Aerodynamic load measurements are accomplished by a cable balance consisting of eight load cells connected to the assigned cables. The motion responses and load measurement outputs were in good agreement with the reference data. The effectiveness of the CSBS against aerodynamic interference and vibration is experimentally demonstrated through comparative tests with a rear sting and a crescent sting support (CSS). The advantages of the CSBS are examined through several wind tunnel tests of a NACA0015 airfoil model. The cable support of the CSBS clearly showed less aerodynamic interference than the rear sting with a CSS, judging from the drag coefficient profile. Additionally, the CSBS showed excellent vibration suppression characteristics at all angles of attack.


The design and development of radome external structure, requires aerodynamic forces acting on it and its distribution. This paper discusses the wind tunnel studies carried out for estimating the incremental effects due to the installation of large ellipsoidal radome along with the support structure pylons on the dorsal side of the fuselage. Effect of locations of radome at 36 m and 31.5 m from the nose of the fuselage is discussed. Further using the scan-valve pressure transducer, the pressure distribution on the radome measured at different aerodynamic angles required for the structural design of radome structure is also brought out. Flow visualization study which are useful for qualitative check for the effect of installation of the radome with support structure on the effectiveness of the empennage is attempted.


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