Abstract

Current field models for wildfire prediction are mostly based on dry or low-moisture fuel combustion research. To better study live fuel combustion behavior and develop the current semi-empirical bush combustion model, a laminar flow flat-flame burner was used to provide a convection heating source to ignite individual live fuel samples. In this research project, four Utah species were studied: Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii), canyon maple (Acer grandidentatum), big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma). Leaf geometrical parameters and time-dependent combustion behavior were recorded. Qualitative results included various combustion phenomena like bursting, brand formation and bending. Quantitative results included determination of best correlations for (a) leaf geometrical properties (individual leaf dry mass (mdry), thickness (Δx), leaf width (W) and leaf length (L)) and (b) combustion characteristics (e.g., time to ignition (tig), time of flame duration (tfd), time to maximum flame height (tfh), time to burnout (tbrn), and maximum flame height (hf,max)). A semi-empirical bush model was expanded to describe the combustion behavior of the three Utah species (Gambel oak, canyon maple and Utah juniper). Leaf placement and bush structure were determined from the statistical model. A new flame area simulation was explored in the semi-empirical bush model in order to improve the bush burning predictions.

Degree

MS

College and Department

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology; Chemical Engineering

Rights

http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/

Date Submitted

2013-03-20

Document Type

Thesis

Handle

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd6103

Keywords

shrub, combustion, ignition, wildland fire, wildfire

Language

English

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