The Effect of Tree-Planting Patterns on the Microclimate within a Courtyard

Junying Li, Jiying Liu, Jelena Srebric, Yuanman Hu, Miao Liu, Lei Su and Shunchang Wang
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Junying Li: School of Life Science, Huizhou University, Huizhou 516007, China
Jiying Liu: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
Jelena Srebric: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
Yuanman Hu: Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
Miao Liu: Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
Lei Su: College of Art and Design, Zhongshan Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology, Zhongshan 528402, China
Shunchang Wang: College of Forestry, Shenyang Agriculture University, Shenyang 110866, China

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 6, 1-21

Abstract: Current landscape design within a courtyard usually does not take into account the influence of the tree-planting pattern, which has an important influence on the outdoor microclimate and occupants’ thermal comfort. At present, the extent of the influence on the microclimate has not yet been made clear. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was employed to run this model under hot summer weather conditions. Field measurements validated the performance of the CFD model. This study conducted numerical simulations for five different tree-planting patterns, including (i) focused tree-planting (F), (ii) cornered tree-planting (C), (iii) multi-row tree-planting (R), (iv) surround tree-planting (S) and (v) no tree-planting (N). Our study found that the tree-planting pattern affects both the distribution of air temperature and the degree of local heat transfer. Specifically, the C, S and N patterns allow for higher ventilation in the studied courtyard, while the F and R patterns cause lower wind velocities and associated courtyard ventilation. The average air temperature for the C pattern is lower during summer afternoons than the other patterns. The wind flow pattern in the studied courtyard does not vary significantly with different tree-planting patterns. Nevertheless, the general relative humidity in the courtyard does not vary significantly with different tree-planting patterns, except for the N pattern. A future analysis is needed to investigate the mechanisms of the phenomenon.

Keywords: courtyard; tree-planting pattern; outdoor microclimate; PHOENICS (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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