On validating predictions of plant motion in coupled biomechanical-flow models

ABSTRACT

Recent developments in integrated biomechanical-flow models have enabled the prediction of the influence of vegetation on the flow field and associated feedback processes. However, to date, such models have only been validated on the hydraulic predictions and/or mean plant position. Here we introduce an approach where dynamic surrogate plant motion, measured directly in flume experiments, is used to allow a validation approach capable of assessing the accuracy of time-dependent flow–vegetation interaction within a numerical model. We use this method to demonstrate the accuracy of an existing Euler–Bernoulli beam model in predicting both mean and dynamic plant position through time and space.

Keywords:

• Biomechanics
• flow visualization and imaging
• large eddy simulations
• particle image velocimetry
• vegetated flows

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Dr Gareth Keevil, the experimental officer at Sorby Environmental Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, University of Leeds for his assistance with the flume experiments. The authors would like to thank the Editor, Associate Editor and three anonymous referees whose comments have improved this manuscript. Data presented in this paper can be obtained by contacting the first author.

Additional information

Funding

The first author was funded under a Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) PhD studentship and NERC [grant number NE/K003194/1]. The flume experiments were funded through the UK NERC [grant number NE/ F010060/1].