Computational fluid dynamics analysis of artificial windbreaks efficiency in tunnel greenhouses

Abstract

In the contemporary scenario, protected cultivation by greenhouses is very important to meet the needs of food for an increasing global population, by providing more frequent and out of time crops. One of the essential elements to keep the structural integrity of a greenhouse is the windbreak, capable of mitigate or even inhibit eventual damages from strong winds. However, for an effective windbreak, there are two relevant factors: Its correct size and position, because a poorly projected windbreak, besides leading to unnecessary spent to the farmer, will be inefficient in its function fulfilment. This study chose to situate its scenario in Antônio Carlos County, in Santa Catarina, Brazil, regional pole of horticulture, where there is a wide use of plastic greenhouses for protected cultivation. For analysis, there were made computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, with a tunnel greenhouse and windbreaks of different sizes and positions, with wind speeds based on local data collection. The results obtained shown the relevance of these structures, reaching wind speeds reductions up to 40%.