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

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Contents Vol 19(5)

doi:10.1071/WF09007

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, Luis M. Ribeiro ^A

^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





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International Journal of Wildland Fire 19(5) 531–540 http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/WF09007
Submitted: 27 January 2009 Accepted: 12 November 2009 Published online: 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.

Keywords: complex fuels, fire behaviour, fire modelling, forest fuels, fuel models.