CFD modelling of WUI fire behaviour in historical fire cases according to different fuel management scenarios
Résumé
Background In most wildland–urban interface (WUI) fires, damage to buildings results from poor surrounding vegetation management. No simulation had been conducted yet on historical WUI fires with Computational Fluid Dynamics modelling. Aims It was interesting to check the feasibility of this modelling in simulating past fire cases for different scenarios of vegetation management and fire propagation. Methods We studied three cases of WUI dwellings surrounded by gardens (subject to French regulations on fuel reduction) adjacent to forest affected by a past fire. The 3D fire propagation was assessed using the Fire Dynamic Simulator model (FDS) and taking into account accurate fire environment (fine vegetation distribution, terrain, etc.). Key results Results showed that, in the current model state, brush-clearing mitigated fire intensity and propagation and damage to ornamental vegetation. However, it sometimes highlighted that this measure could be strengthened when the effects of topography and wind were combined. Conclusions FDS modelling at the WUI scale using accurate vegetation distribution proved to be functionally satisfactory, exhibiting realistic fire behaviour. Implications Once validated, this modelling will ultimately help to assess when fuel reduction is efficient in fire mitigation and to pinpoint possible limitations.
Mots clés
CFD modelling Fire Dynamic Simulator model (FDS) fire prevention fire risk mandatory brush-clearing ornamental vegetation post-fire damage analysis WUI fire behaviour
CFD modelling
Fire Dynamic Simulator model (FDS)
fire prevention
fire risk
mandatory brush-clearing
ornamental vegetation
post-fire damage analysis
WUI fire behaviour
Domaines
Sciences de l'environnement
Origine : Fichiers éditeurs autorisés sur une archive ouverte
Licence : CC BY ND - Paternité - Pas de modifications
Licence : CC BY ND - Paternité - Pas de modifications