Swirl Induced by Large Area Fires.
Abstract
Swirl has been suggested as the mechanism responsible for high fire-wind velocities and exceptional plume rises from large area fires. The potential sources of vorticity that could result in a swirling central column are examined. Coriolis forces produce only a small tangential velocity component for the time and length scales appropriate to a city size fire. Similarly, asymmetries in fuel load or burning distribution cannot generate sufficient swirl velocities to influence the plume motion or fire-wind velocities. Neither eddies or rotational systems of scale much larger or smaller than the fire radius can produce swirl. Wind systems with wavelength similar in scale to the fire diameter produce only a negligible tangential velocity component. As a consequence, plumes produced by large area fires are not likely to swirl. Keywords: Firestorms; Vorticity; Circulation; Plumes. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA172540
Entities
People
- D. Weihs
- R. D. Small