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Investigating the effects of wind loading on three dimensional tree models using numerical simulation with
Majid Amani-Beni1, Mahdi Tabatabaei Malazi2, Kaveh Dehghanian3
1School of Architecture, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 611756, China.
Scientific Reports
|May 4, 2023
Summary
Numerical simulations show that wind velocity and tree shape significantly impact Eastern Red Cedar
Area of Science:
- Arboriculture and Urban Forestry
- Computational Mechanics
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Wind loading poses a significant risk to urban trees, affecting their structural integrity.
- Understanding tree biomechanics under wind is crucial for urban planning and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of wind on Eastern Red Cedar using numerical simulations.
- To analyze the influence of geometric parameters (bole length, canopy diameter) and wind velocity on tree response.
Main Methods:
- Developed two distinct tree models with varying dimensions.
- Employed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and one-way fluid-structure interaction (FSI).
- Simulated 18 cases with different wind velocities and tree geometries.
Main Results:
- Increased wind velocity (15-25 m/s) substantially increased forces on the tree.
- Canopy diameter had a greater impact on stress and strain than bole length.
- Calculated drag force, deformation, stress, and fluid dynamics (velocity, pressure distribution).
Conclusions:
- Wind velocity and tree geometry are critical factors influencing tree deformation, drag, and stress.
- Canopy diameter is a more influential parameter than bole length for stress and strain.
- Findings inform urban planning for effective windbreaks and comfortable environments.
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