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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 19(5)

Linear model for spread rate and mass loss rate for mixed-size fuel beds

Domingos X. Viegas A C , Miguel Almeida A , Ana I. Miranda B and Luis M. Ribeiro A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A ADAI (Associação para o Desenvolvimento da Aerodinâmica Industrial), Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Coimbra, 3030-289 Coimbra, Portugal.

B Department of Environment and Planning, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.

C Corresponding author. Email: xavier.viegas@dem.uc.pt

International Journal of Wildland Fire 19(5) 531-540 https://doi.org/10.1071/WF09007
Submitted: 27 January 2009  Accepted: 12 November 2009   Published: 9 August 2010

Abstract

A linearised model to estimate the properties of composite fuel beds based on the mass fraction of each fuel component is proposed. Laboratory experiments to determine combustibility properties of fuel beds composed of two, three and four components were performed under no-slope and no-wind conditions. Results of the rate of spread and mass loss rate compared favourably with model predictions. Results from tests with wind-induced fire fronts were also compared with the present model. The linear model provides a simple method to estimate of the rate of spread of composite fuels.

Additional keywords: complex fuels, fire behaviour, fire modelling, forest fuels, fuel models.


Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge their colleagues of the ADAI team for help in this research. In particular, the support given by Luis Pita, Carlos Rossa, Nuno Luís and António Cardoso is gratefully acknowledged. The support given to the research program by the European Commission through project SPREAD, contract EVG1-CT-2001–00043, by the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia through project CODINF, contract POCI/EME/60821/2004, project LEIF, contract POCI/V.5/A0100/2005, and by Fundo Florestal Permanente through project DESFILADEIRO, contract 2005.09.002257.4, is gratefully acknowledged.


References


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