Study on the Impact of Tree Species on the Wind Environment in Tree Arrays Based on Fluid–Structure Interaction: A Case Study of Hangzhou Urban Area

Abstract

In order to improve the level of the urban living environment and improve the comfort level of the microclimate, this paper investigates and simulates numerically the influence on the wind environment of different tree species in various tree array layouts, aiming to enhance wind comfort in tree landscapes and reduce the risk of high wind speeds. Initially, the study analyzes the commonly used tree species in Hangzhou’s urban tree arrays (beech, soapberry, and camphor trees), summarizing three types of tree array layouts: retention, through, and enclosure. Subsequently, standard tree models are established to define their crown porosity, trunk elastic modulus, and other physical characteristics. Using fluid–structure interaction methods, the impact of different tree species on the wind environment within various tree array layouts is numerically simulated at a wind speed of 14 m/s. In conclusion, the retention layout is most effective in controlling wind speed. Camphor trees perform excellently in reducing wind speed within both retention and enclosure tree array layouts, with wind reduction efficiencies of 16.06% and 14.09%, respectively. Soapberry trees show optimal wind speed reduction in the through layout, achieving 12.31%.

Keywords

• wind environment
• tree canopy characteristics
• fluid–structure interaction
• tree species
• urban tree arrays