Performance Comparison of Solid Walls and Porous Fences in 2 Protecting Structures from Firebrand Attack
Article
Article Title | Performance Comparison of Solid Walls and Porous Fences in 2 Protecting Structures from Firebrand Attack |
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ERA Journal ID | 212512 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Sharifian, Ahmad |
Journal Title | Fire |
Journal Citation | 8 (3) |
Article Number | 88 |
Number of Pages | 15 |
Year | 2025 |
Publisher | MDPI AG |
ISSN | 2571-6255 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.3390/fire8030088 |
Web Address (URL) | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/8/3/88 |
Abstract | In bushfire-prone regions, solid walls and porous fences are commonly employed as miti-gation measures against windblown embers (firebrands). This computational study eval-uates and compares the performance of a 2 m high solid wall and a 2 m porous fence (38% porosity) in protecting structures from firebrand showers. Using a numerical model sub-jected to free-stream velocities of up to 50 m/s, flow patterns and firebrand trajectories were analyzed. The findings indicate that impermeable walls offer superior protection for im-mediately adjacent structures by deflecting the incident flow upwards, creating a “jump board” effect. However, the deflected flow subsequently reattaches to the ground at a downstream distance, rendering structures further downwind vulnerable to ember attack. The porous fence also exhibits a similar, albeit less pronounced, upward deflection. The simulations reveal minimal flow descent downstream of the fence at lower free-stream ve-locities, suggesting extended downwind protection. In the immediate downstream vicinity of the porous fence, penetration by small firebrands is possible; however, prior studies have shown that the likelihood of ignition from these embers is minimal and decreases rapidly within a short downstream distance of several metres. |
Keywords | metal mesh fence; permeable fences; impermeable walls; solid wall; po-rous fence; porosity; flow path; firebrand movement; ember attack |
Article Publishing Charge (APC) Amount Paid | 0.0 |
Contains Sensitive Content | Does not contain sensitive content |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 300706. Forestry fire management |
401199. Environmental engineering not elsewhere classified | |
401204. Computational methods in fluid flow, heat and mass transfer (incl. computational fluid dynamics) | |
Byline Affiliations | School of Engineering |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/zwq7v/performance-comparison-of-solid-walls-and-porous-fences-in-2-protecting-structures-from-firebrand-attack
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