Edge Flow and Canopy Structure: A Large-Eddy Simulation Study |
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Authors: | Sylvain Dupont Yves Brunet |
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Institution: | (1) INRA, UR1263 EPHYSE, 71 avenue Edouard Bourlaux, Villenave d’Ornon, 33140, France |
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Abstract: | Sharp heterogeneities in forest structure, such as edges, are often responsible for wind damage. In order to better understand
the behaviour of turbulent flow through canopy edges, large-eddy simulations (LES) have been performed at very fine scale
(2 m) within and above heterogeneous vegetation canopies. A modified version of the Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS),
previously validated in homogeneous conditions against field and wind-tunnel measurements, has been used for this purpose.
Here it is validated in a simple forest-clearing-forest configuration. The model is shown to be able to reproduce accurately
the main features observed in turbulent edge flow, especially the “enhanced gust zone” (EGZ) present around the canopy top
at a few canopy heights downwind from the edge, and the turbulent region that develops further downstream. The EGZ is characterized
by a peak in streamwise velocity skewness, which reflects the presence of intense intermittent wind gusts. A sensitivity study
of the edge flow to the forest morphology shows that with increasing canopy density the flow adjusts faster and turbulent
features such as the EGZ become more marked. When the canopy is characterized by a sparse trunk space the length of the adjustment
region increases significantly due to the formation of a sub-canopy wind jet from the leading edge. It is shown that the position
and magnitude of the EGZ are related to the mean upward motion formed around canopy top behind the leading edge, caused by
the deceleration in the sub-canopy. Indeed, this mean upward motion advects low turbulence levels from the bottom of the canopy;
this emphasises the passage of sudden strong wind gusts from the clearing, thereby increasing the skewness in streamwise velocity
as compared with locations further downstream where ambient turbulence is stronger. |
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Keywords: | Forest edge Forest morphology Large-eddy simulation Turbulent flow Vegetation canopy Wind damage |
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