Co-Authors:
Seginer, I., Technion, Haifa, Israel
Pirkner, M., ARO, Bet Dagan, Israel
Achiman, O., ARO, Bet Dagan, Israel
Mekhmandarov, Y., ARO, Bet Dagan, Israel
Tanny, J., ARO, Bet Dagan, Israel
Abstract:
The mixing-length model, traditionally used to model wind profiles above extended open fields, has been modified to include a horizontal screen (roof) above the crop. According to this model, two attributes (parameters) define the aerodynamic properties of the screen: a characteristic resistance (drag) and a characteristic mixing-length. The former affects the horizontal force on the structure and the latter affects the vertical turbulent transfer across the roof. Similar parameters (drag and mixing-length) also define the aerodynamic properties of the crop. In our previous reports described the mixing-length model, we calculated velocity and shear profiles and estimated the screen aerodynamic parameters. Here, we also estimate the aerodynamic properties of the crop canopy. Data from two large screenhouses, one covered with a fine 'insect' screen and another with a coarse 'shading' screen, were used in the analysis. It turns out that in both cases the crop mixing-length does not limit the size of the turbulent eddies and, therefore, does not affect the turbulent transfer. Crop drag, however, has some effect. All things considered, estimating the aerodynamic properties of fine screens from wind and shear profiles does not require detailed and accurate crop information.