Analysing the forces on trees to provide an insight into tornadoes and thunderstorm downbursts

PROJECT SUMMARY

Over the years, tornadoes (and to a lesser extent, downbursts) have attracted a great deal of attention both from the engineering community and the media. Tornadoes are rather complex phenomena which despite considerable research efforts are not particularly well understood. This tends to be due to two main reasons: firstly, the high wind speeds associated with the strongest tornadoes makes it difficult to obtain near ground measurements both from a safety perspective and from an equipment perspective – standard measuring equipment simply cannot withstand the corresponding wind-induced forces. Secondly, tornadoes are unpredictable and can be of a relatively small scale (~10m – 1km). Thus, the probability of correctly predicting a tornado’s location is rather small, although in general terms predicting their occurrence over large areas is reasonably straightforward.

This project addresses these issues directly by using trees and crops as widespread damage indicators; the failure patterns arising from these plants when subject to a tornado/downburst can provide considerable information relating to tornado/downburst. Considerable progress has been made on this front, but all this research contains several fundamental assumptions which has never been validated. This research will test all these assumptions through detailed wind tunnel measurements in large-scale wind tunnel.

PROJECT AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this research is to investigate if existing tornado models can predict realistic tree/crop fall patterns. This will be achieved by analysing a series of controlled model-scale experiments undertaken in partnership with colleagues at Western University. Underpinning this aim are 4 objectives:

1. To undertake a critical literature review relating to tree and crop fall patterns arising from tornadoes.
2. To analyse experimental data from a variety of physical tests undertaken in a large-scale tornado generator.
3. To compare the results of (2) with patterns arising from analytical tornadoes models.
4. Based on (2) and (3), to develop an appropriate analytical model / propose changes to existing analytical models to provide an accurate insight into tornado scales based on full-scale tree/crop fall patterns.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE CANDIDATE

Applicants should have either an excellent undergraduate or MSc in either engineering, mathematics or physics.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should contact Professor Mark Sterling at m.sterling@mmu.ac.uk for an informal discussion, providing a copy of your CV and a short statement outlining why you are attracted to this topic. Please quote ‘Tornado-forest PhD’ in all correspondence.

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Engineering, or download the PGR application form.

You should also complete the PGR thesis proposal form addressing the project’s aims and objectives, demonstrating how the skills you have maps to the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. 

If applying online, you will need to upload your statement in the supporting documents section or email the application form and statement to PGRAdmissions@mmu.ac.uk.

Applications from those who wish to explore the possibility of flexible working arrangements are welcome.

Please quote the reference: SciEng-MS-2024-Tornado-forest