Open AccessTrees And Wind: A Practical Consideration Of The Drag Equation Velocity Exponent For Urban Tree Risk Management
Author(s) -
Scott Cullen
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
arboriculture and urban forestry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 2155-0778
pISSN - 1935-5297
DOI - 10.48044/jauf.2005.013
Subject(s) - tree (set theory) , exponent , drag , liability , risk management , aerodynamics , reliability (semiconductor) , mathematics , computer science , physics , economics , mathematical analysis , political science , law , mechanics , power (physics) , management , philosophy , linguistics , quantum mechanics
Arborists and urban foresters are increasingly concerned with tree risk management. The aerodynamic drag equation is a potentially useful management tool. Some sources question the form of equationspecifically, the velocity exponentthat should be applied to trees. For the tree risk manager, concerned with public safety and legal liability, this is more than an academic curiosity. Uncertainty about the appropriate exponent questions the reliability of the conventional form. This paper reviews the literature, reports on modeling of both equation forms, and concludes that the conventional formvelocity squaredis appropriate for trees. Detailed analysis is presented for the researcher or advanced practitioner. A summary explanation is provided for the typical practitioner.