scholarly journals Estimating Wind Damage in Forested Areas Due to Tornadoes

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Mohamed A. Mansour ◽  
Daniel M. Rhee ◽  
Timothy Newson ◽  
Chris Peterson ◽  
Franklin T. Lombardo
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Insurance Companies ◽  
Forest Damage ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Tree Damage ◽  
Failure Patterns ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Forested Areas ◽  
Critical Wind Velocity

Research Highlights: Simulations of treefall patterns during tornado events have been conducted, enabling the coupled effects of tornado characteristics, tree properties and soil conditions to be assessed for the first time. Background and Objectives: Treefall patterns and forest damage assessed in post-storm surveys are dependent on the interaction between topography, biology and meteorology, which makes identification of characteristic behavior challenging. Much of our knowledge of tree damage during extreme winds is based on synoptic storms. Better characterization of tree damage will provide more knowledge of tornado impacts on forests, as well as their ecological significance. Materials and Methods: a numerical method based on a Rankine vortex model coupled with two mechanistic tree models for critical wind velocity for stem break and windthrow was used to simulate tornadic tree damage. To calibrate the models, a treefall analysis of the Alonsa tornado was used. Parametric study was conducted to assess induced tornadic tree failure patterns for uprooting on saturated and unsaturated soils and stem break with different knot factors. Results: A power law relationship between failure bending moments and diameter at breast height (DBH) for the hardwood species provided the best correlation. Observed failure distributions of stem break and windthrow along the tornado track were fitted to lognormal distributions and the mean of the critical wind speeds for windthrow were found to be higher than that for stem break. Relationships between critical wind speed and tree size were negatively correlated for windthrow and positively correlated for stem break. Higher soil moisture contents and lower knot factors reduced the critical wind speeds. The simulations show varying tree fall patterns displaying forward and backward convergence, different tornado damage widths and asymmetry of the tracks. These variations were controlled by the relative magnitudes of radial and tangential tornado velocities, the ratio between translational speed and maximum rotational wind speed and the mode of failure of the trees. Conclusions: The results show the complexity of predicting tornadic damage in forests, and it is anticipated that this type of simulation will aid risk assessments for insurance companies, emergency managers and forest authorities.

Estimating Enhanced Fujita Scale Levels Based on Forest Damage Severity

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 243-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Godfrey ◽  
Chris J. Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Forest Damage ◽  
Great Smoky Mountains ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Tree Resistance ◽  
Resistance Model ◽  
Scale Levels ◽  
Resampling Procedure

Abstract Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale estimates following tornadoes remain challenging in rural areas with few traditional damage indicators. In some cases, such as the 27 April 2011 tornadoes that passed through mostly inaccessible terrain in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Chattahoochee National Forest in the southeastern United States, traditional ground-based tornado damage surveys are nearly impossible. This work presents a novel method to infer EF-scale categories in forests using levels of tree damage and a coupled wind and tree resistance model. High-resolution aerial imagery allows detailed analyses based on a field of nearly half a million trees labeled with their geographic location and fall direction. Ground surveys also provide details on the composition of tree species and tree diameters within each tornado track. A statistical resampling procedure randomly draws a sample of trees from this database of observed trees. The coupled wind and tree resistance model determines the percentage of trees in that sample that fall for a given wind speed. By repeating this procedure, each wind speed value corresponds with a distribution of treefall percentages in the sampled plots. Comparing these results with the observed treefall percentage in small subplots along the entire tornado track allows estimation of the most probable wind speed associated with each subplot. Maps of estimated EF-scale levels reveal the relationship between complex terrain and wind speeds and show the variability of the intensity of each tornado along both tracks. This approach may lead to methods for the straightforward estimation of EF-scale categories in remote or inaccessible locations.

Landscape-level variation in forest response to hurricane disturbance across a storm track

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (12) ◽  
pp. 2942-2950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Posy E. Busby ◽  
Glenn Motzkin ◽  
Emery R. Boose
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
New England ◽  
Storm Track ◽  
Wind Damage ◽  
Forest Damage ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Minimal Growth ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Hurricane Wind ◽  
Study Sites

Hurricane wind speeds at a given site are related to the intensity of the storm and the distance and direction from the storm center. As a result, forest damage is expected to vary predictably with respect to location relative to the storm track. To determine whether patterns of forest response along the track of a major hurricane in coastal New England were consistent with the expected patterns of wind damage, we investigated tree growth responses to the storm in several study sites that are similar with respect to site conditions, vegetation, and disturbance history. Growth responses to a severe hurricane in 1944 varied predictably among study sites with respect to distance from the storm track. Sites closest to the storm track experienced lesser wind damage and exhibited minimal growth responses, whereas sites farther east of the storm track and closer to the area of maximum estimated wind speed were characterized by greater wind damage and growth changes. Variation in estimated wind speed among our study sites (5–10 m/s) is not much greater than anticipated increases in hurricane intensity predicted under future climate scenarios (3–7 m/s). Thus, our results suggest that the magnitude of anticipated increases in wind speeds associated with Atlantic hurricanes may be sufficient to cause changes in forest response.

A Comparison of Wind Speed and Forest Damage Associated with Tornadoes in Northern Arizona

2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 408-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
David O. Blanchard
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Sonic Anemometer ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Forest Damage ◽  
Areal Extent ◽  
Tree Damage ◽  
Northern Arizona ◽  
Damage Indicator ◽  
Close Proximity

Abstract Damage surveys in the aftermath of tornadoes occurring in the forested regions of the Mogollon Rim in northern Arizona have been assessed using the enhanced Fujita scale (EF scale) damage indicator (DI) and degree of damage (DOD) tables. These surveys often revealed different DODs within close proximity as well as different spatial patterns and areal extent of tree damage exhibiting the same DOD, making the determination of wind speed and EF-scale ratings challenging. A localized tornado outbreak occurred across northern Arizona on 6 October 2010, producing at least 11 tornadoes and substantial areas of forest damage. Remarkably, one of these tornadoes passed over a three-dimensional sonic anemometer. Wind data from this sensor are compared with tree damage in the adjacent forest to assess the performance of the EF-scale metrics for damage to trees.

SHAPING OF AN AUTONOMOUS POWER SYSTEM FOR GUARANTEED POWER SUPPLY WITH THE PREDOMINANCE WIND ENERGY

2018 ◽  
pp. 28-50
Author(s):  
S. G. Ignatiev ◽  
S. V. Kiseleva
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Wind Energy ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Diesel Generator ◽  
Average Wind Speed ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Average Wind

Optimization of the autonomous wind-diesel plants composition and of their power for guaranteed energy supply, despite the long history of research, the diversity of approaches and methods, is an urgent problem. In this paper, a detailed analysis of the wind energy characteristics is proposed to shape an autonomous power system for a guaranteed power supply with predominance wind energy. The analysis was carried out on the basis of wind speed measurements in the south of the European part of Russia during 8 months at different heights with a discreteness of 10 minutes. As a result, we have obtained a sequence of average daily wind speeds and the sequences constructed by arbitrary variations in the distribution of average daily wind speeds in this interval. These sequences have been used to calculate energy balances in systems (wind turbines + diesel generator + consumer with constant and limited daily energy demand) and (wind turbines + diesel generator + consumer with constant and limited daily energy demand + energy storage). In order to maximize the use of wind energy, the wind turbine integrally for the period in question is assumed to produce the required amount of energy. For the generality of consideration, we have introduced the relative values of the required energy, relative energy produced by the wind turbine and the diesel generator and relative storage capacity by normalizing them to the swept area of the wind wheel. The paper shows the effect of the average wind speed over the period on the energy characteristics of the system (wind turbine + diesel generator + consumer). It was found that the wind turbine energy produced, wind turbine energy used by the consumer, fuel consumption, and fuel economy depend (close to cubic dependence) upon the specified average wind speed. It was found that, for the same system with a limited amount of required energy and high average wind speed over the period, the wind turbines with lower generator power and smaller wind wheel radius use wind energy more efficiently than the wind turbines with higher generator power and larger wind wheel radius at less average wind speed. For the system (wind turbine + diesel generator + energy storage + consumer) with increasing average speed for a given amount of energy required, which in general is covered by the energy production of wind turbines for the period, the maximum size capacity of the storage device decreases. With decreasing the energy storage capacity, the influence of the random nature of the change in wind speed decreases, and at some values of the relative capacity, it can be neglected.

scholarly journals Analysis of Performance of the Wind-Driven Pulverizing Aerator Based on Average Wind Speeds in the Conditions of Góreckie Lake

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 2796
Author(s):  
Andrzej Osuch ◽  
Ewa Osuch ◽  
Stanisław Podsiadłowski ◽  
Piotr Rybacki
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Water Pump ◽  
Average Wind Speed ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Average Wind ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Analysis Of Performance ◽  
Research Period

In the introduction to this paper, the characteristics of Góreckie lake and the construction and operation of the wind-driven pulverizing aerator are presented. The purpose of this manuscript is to determine the efficiency of the pulverizing aerator unit in the windy conditions of Góreckie Lake. The efficiency of the pulverization aerator depends on the wind conditions at the lake. It was necessary to conduct thorough research to determine the efficiency of water flow through the pulverization segment (water pump). It was necessary to determine the rotational speed of the paddle wheel, which depended on the average wind speed. Throughout the research period, measurements of hourly average wind speed were carried out. It was possible to determine the efficiency of the machine by developing a dedicated mathematical model. The latest method was used in the research, consisting of determining the theoretical volumetric flow rates of water in the pulverizing aerator unit, based on average hourly wind speeds. Pulverization efficiency under the conditions of Góreckie Lake was determined based on 6600 average wind speeds for spring, summer and autumn, 2018. Based on the model, the theoretical efficiency of the machine was calculated, which, under the conditions of Góreckie Lake, amounted to 75,000 m3 per year.

scholarly journals Optimization of a Small Wind Power Plant for Annual Wind Speed Distribution

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1587
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Wrobel ◽  
Krzysztof Tomczewski ◽  
Artur Sliwinski ◽  
Andrzej Tomczewski
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Wind Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Wind Power Plant ◽  
Switched Reluctance ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Wind Speed Distribution ◽  
And Control

This article presents a method to adjust the elements of a small wind power plant to the wind speed characterized by the highest annual level of energy. Tests were carried out on the basis of annual wind distributions at three locations. The standard range of wind speeds was reduced to that resulting from the annual wind speed distributions in these locations. The construction of the generators and the method of their excitation were adapted to the characteristics of the turbines. The results obtained for the designed power plants were compared with those obtained for a power plant with a commercial turbine adapted to a wind speed of 10 mps. The generator structure and control method were optimized using a genetic algorithm in the MATLAB program (Mathworks, Natick, MA, USA); magnetostatic calculations were carried out using the FEMM program; the simulations were conducted using a proprietary simulation program. The simulation results were verified by measurement for a switched reluctance machine of the same voltage, power, and design. Finally, the yields of the designed generators in various locations were determined.

scholarly journals A Novel Sea Surface Roughness Parameterization Based on Wave State and Sea Foam

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 246
Author(s):  
Difu Sun ◽  
Junqiang Song ◽  
Xiaoyong Li ◽  
Kaijun Ren ◽  
Hongze Leng
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Drag Coefficient ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
High Wind Speed ◽  
Wave State ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Sea Surface Roughness ◽  
Extreme Wind ◽  
The Impact

A wave state related sea surface roughness parameterization scheme that takes into account the impact of sea foam is proposed in this study. Using eight observational datasets, the performances of two most widely used wave state related parameterizations are examined under various wave conditions. Based on the different performances of two wave state related parameterizations under different wave state, and by introducing the effect of sea foam, a new sea surface roughness parameterization suitable for low to extreme wind conditions is proposed. The behaviors of drag coefficient predicted by the proposed parameterization match the field and laboratory measurements well. It is shown that the drag coefficient increases with the increasing wind speed under low and moderate wind speed conditions, and then decreases with increasing wind speed, due to the effect of sea foam under high wind speed conditions. The maximum values of the drag coefficient are reached when the 10 m wind speeds are in the range of 30–35 m/s.

scholarly journals Topographic Speed-Up Effects and Observed Roof Damage on Bermuda following Hurricane Fabian (2003)

2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 159-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Miller ◽  
Michael Gibbons ◽  
Kyle Beatty ◽  
Auguste Boissonnade
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Clear Trend ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Research Division ◽  
Hurricane Wind ◽  
Layer Flow ◽  
Observed Damage

Abstract In this study the impacts of the topography of Bermuda on the damage patterns observed following the passage of Hurricane Fabian over the island on 5 September 2003 are considered. Using a linearized model of atmospheric boundary layer flow over low-slope topography that also incorporates a model for changes of surface roughness, sets of directionally dependent wind speed adjustment factors were calculated for the island of Bermuda. These factors were then used in combination with a time-stepping model for the open water wind field of Hurricane Fabian derived from the Hurricane Research Division Real-Time Hurricane Wind Analysis System (H*Wind) surface wind analyses to calculate the maximum 1-min mean wind speed at locations across the island for the following conditions: open water, roughness changes only, and topography and roughness changes combined. Comparison of the modeled 1-min mean wind speeds and directions with observations from a site on the southeast coast of Bermuda showed good agreement between the two sets of values. Maximum open water wind speeds across the entire island showed very little variation and were of category 2 strength on the Saffir–Simpson scale. While the effects of surface roughness changes on the modeled wind speeds showed very little correlation with the observed damage, the effect of the underlying topography led to maximum modeled wind speeds of category 4 strength being reached in highly localized areas on the island. Furthermore, the observed damage was found to be very well correlated with these regions of topographically enhanced wind speeds, with a very clear trend of increasing damage with increasing wind speeds.

Climate Conditions at Perennially Ice-Covered Lake Untersee, East Antarctica

2015 ◽  
Vol 54 (7) ◽  
pp. 1393-1412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale T. Andersen ◽  
Christopher P. McKay ◽  
Victor Lagun
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Austral Summer ◽  
Solar Flux ◽  
East Antarctica ◽  
Daily Maximum ◽  
Mean Annual Temperature ◽  
Secondary Source ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Strong Winds

AbstractIn November 2008 an automated meteorological station was established at Lake Untersee in East Antarctica, producing a 5-yr data record of meteorological conditions at the lake. This dataset includes five austral summer seasons composed of December, January, and February (DJF). The average solar flux at Lake Untersee for the four years with complete solar flux data is 99.2 ± 0.6 W m−2. The mean annual temperature at Lake Untersee was determined to be −10.6° ± 0.6°C. The annual degree-days above freezing for the five years were 9.7, 37.7, 22.4, 7.0, and 48.8, respectively, with summer (DJF) accounting for virtually all of this. For these five summers the average DJF temperatures were −3.5°, −1.9°, −2.2°, −2.6°, and −2.5°C. The maximum (minimum) temperatures were +5.3°, +7.6°, +5.7°, +4.4°, and +9.0°C (−13.8°, −12.8°, −12.9°, −13.5°, and −12.1°C). The average of the wind speed recorded was 5.4 m s−1, the maximum was 35.7 m s−1, and the average daily maximum was 15 m s−1. The wind speed was higher in the winter, averaging 6.4 m s−1. Summer winds averaged 4.7 m s−1. The dominant wind direction for strong winds is from the south for all seasons, with a secondary source of strong winds in the summer from the east-northeast. Relative humidity averages 37%; however, high values will occur with an average period of ~10 days, providing a strong indicator of the quasi-periodic passage of storms across the site. Low summer temperatures and high wind speeds create conditions at the surface of the lake ice resulting in sublimation rather than melting as the main mass-loss process.

scholarly journals Atmospheric Circulation Effects on Wind Speed Variability at Turbine Height

2007 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 445-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Klink
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Circulation Index ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Change Models ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
The North

Abstract Mean monthly wind speed at 70 m above ground level is investigated for 11 sites in Minnesota for the period 1995–2003. Wind speeds at these sites show significant spatial and temporal coherence, with prolonged periods of above- and below-normal values that can persist for as long as 12 months. Monthly variation in wind speed primarily is determined by the north–south pressure gradient, which captures between 22% and 47% of the variability (depending on the site). Regression on wind speed residuals (pressure gradient effects removed) shows that an additional 6%–15% of the variation can be related to the Arctic Oscillation (AO) and Niño-3.4 sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies. Wind speeds showed little correspondence with variation in the Pacific–North American (PNA) circulation index. The effect of the strong El Niño of 1997/98 on the wind speed time series was investigated by recomputing the regression equations with this period excluded. The north–south pressure gradient remains the primary determinant of mean monthly 70-m wind speeds, but with 1997/98 removed the influence of the AO increases at nearly all stations while the importance of the Niño-3.4 SSTs generally decreases. Relationships with the PNA remain small. These results suggest that long-term patterns of low-frequency wind speed (and thus wind power) variability can be estimated using large-scale circulation features as represented by large-scale climatic datasets and by climate-change models.

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