Windbreak Aerodynamics: Is Computational Fluid Dynamics Reliable?

Abstract

To investigate the suitability of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with regard to windbreak aerodynamics, simulations are performed with a state-of-the-art numerical scheme (Fluent) and compared against experimental data for two-and three-dimensional disturbances, namely the case of a long straight porous shelter fence and the case of a shelter fence erected in a square about an enclosed plot. A thorough sensitivity study quantifies the impact of numerical choices on the simulation (e.g. grid-point density, domain size, turbulence closure), and leads to guidelines that should ensure objective simulation of windbreak flows. On a fine grid Fluent's "realizable k-closure" gives results that are in qualitative accord with the observed mean winds.

Numerical Simulation of the Airflow Across Trees in a Windbreak

“…Hagen et al (1981) as well as Wilson (1985), Wang and Takle (1995), Packwood (2000), Wang et al (2001), Wilson and Yee (2003), Santiago et al (2007) investigated, using a k-ε turbulence model, the effect of width, height, porosity and other parameters related to two-dimensional (2-D) fences. Bourdin and Wilson (2008) compared 2-D simulations of windbreaks and three-dimensional (3-D) simulations of homogeneous shelterbelts with experimental data, demonstrating good agreement. Threedimensional models of fences were also used to simulate windbreaks in an urban environment using the k-ε turbulence model (Li et al 2007) or odour dispersion with the k-ω model (Lin et al 2007).…”

“…Numerous previous investigations have proven the validity of these techniques for the simulation of the flow across plants, trees, windbreaks and forests. In particular, recent systematic studies of Santiago et al (2007) and Bourdin and Wilson (2008) yielded specific recommendations for conducting CFD simulations of flow over windbreaks. The present study relies on these recommendations in building the numerical model.…”

A CFD Study of Roadside Barrier Impact on the Dispersion of Road Air Pollution

“…9(1), [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]2015 gard to the grid design, Bourdin and Wilson (2008) suggested that the upstream (inlet) and downstream (outflow) boundaries should be located at least 20 barrier heights away from the noise barrier, the top boundary should be at least 40 barrier heights above the noise barrier. In this study, inlet and outlet boundaries are located at -500 m, and 800 m respectively and top boundary is 500 m height.…”

“…In this study, inlet and outlet boundaries are located at -500 m, and 800 m respectively and top boundary is 500 m height. Because barrier height was 6 m in this study, the boundary conditions of Bourdin and Wilson (2008) are satisfied. The atmospheric stability condition was neutral and road emission source height was located at z= =0 m in this study.…”

Measurements of wind suppression effects of windbreak net using a wind tunnel for the purpose of applying numerical simulations

“…(Maki et al, 1993(Maki et al, , 2004) (Wang and Takle, 1995;1996;Wang et al, 2001;Bourdin and Wilson, 2008) (Cleugh, 1998;Takahashi et al, 1998) (Heisler and DeWalle, 1988;Maruyama and Tomisaka, 2006) 3 (Cleugh, 1998) (Kawashima et al, 2004) …”