Title page for ETD etd-082411-183323

Document Type thesis

Author Name Baker, Elisa S

URN etd-082411-183323

Title Burning Characteristics of Individual Douglas-Fir Trees in the Wildland/Urban Interface

Degree MS

Department Fire Protection Engineering

Advisors
Albert Simeoni, Ph.D., Advisor
Alexander Maranghides, Reader
Kathy A. Notarianni, Ph.D., Department Head

Keywords
tree burn
Douglas-fir
modeling
wildfire
WUI
Wildland Urban Interface

Date of Presentation/Defense 2011-05-16

Availability unrestricted

Abstract
The Wildland/Urban Interface, in which homes are intermingled with forested areas, presents unique challenges to fire protection and fire prediction, owing to the different fuel loads, conditions, and terrain. Computer models that predict fire spread through such an area require data for multiple scales, from crown fire spread to the heat release rates and ignition conditions for individual trees, as well as an understanding of fire behavior and spread. This discussion investigates a means by which fire behavior for Douglas-fir trees can be determined from quantifiable characteristics, such as height and moisture content. Mass, flame height, peak heat release rate, and total energy can be estimated from these simple measurements. A time scale of 60 seconds, combined with a peak heat release rate estimated from tree size characteristics, provides an approximation of total energy that is within 11% of measured values. Pre-heating of trees with a low (2.5 kW/m2) radiant heat flux did not have a noticeable impact on the resulting heat release rate. In addition, fire spread between trees was highly dependent on the presence of ambient wind; in the absence of wind or wind-borne embers, the trees were very resistant to ignition even when in close proximity (3 spacing). With the addition of wind, the fire would spread, although the heat release rates were dramatically reduced for trees of sufficiently high moisture content (< 70%).

Files
thesis.pdf

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Document Type	thesis
Author Name	Baker, Elisa S
URN	etd-082411-183323
Title	Burning Characteristics of Individual Douglas-Fir Trees in the Wildland/Urban Interface
Degree	MS
Department	Fire Protection Engineering
Advisors	Albert Simeoni, Ph.D., Advisor Alexander Maranghides, Reader Kathy A. Notarianni, Ph.D., Department Head
Keywords	tree burn Douglas-fir modeling wildfire WUI Wildland Urban Interface
Date of Presentation/Defense	2011-05-16
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract The Wildland/Urban Interface, in which homes are intermingled with forested areas, presents unique challenges to fire protection and fire prediction, owing to the different fuel loads, conditions, and terrain. Computer models that predict fire spread through such an area require data for multiple scales, from crown fire spread to the heat release rates and ignition conditions for individual trees, as well as an understanding of fire behavior and spread. This discussion investigates a means by which fire behavior for Douglas-fir trees can be determined from quantifiable characteristics, such as height and moisture content. Mass, flame height, peak heat release rate, and total energy can be estimated from these simple measurements. A time scale of 60 seconds, combined with a peak heat release rate estimated from tree size characteristics, provides an approximation of total energy that is within 11% of measured values. Pre-heating of trees with a low (2.5 kW/m2) radiant heat flux did not have a noticeable impact on the resulting heat release rate. In addition, fire spread between trees was highly dependent on the presence of ambient wind; in the absence of wind or wind-borne embers, the trees were very resistant to ignition even when in close proximity (3 spacing). With the addition of wind, the fire would spread, although the heat release rates were dramatically reduced for trees of sufficiently high moisture content (< 70%).
Files	thesis.pdf