An Application of the Shark Skin Denticle Geometry for Windbreak Fence Design and Fabrication

Abstract

Windbreak fences in open and urban areas can be used to effectively reduce the wind velocity. In this paper we examine how the geometrical shape of the windbreak fence can optimally mitigate wind velocity. We propose an approach for windbreak fence design based on a bionic parametric model of the shark skin denticle geometry, which improves the reduction of the wind velocity around and behind the windbreak fences. The generative model was used to estimate improvements by variations in the parameters of the fence panel's geometrical shape, inspired by shark skin denticles. The results of the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis indicates that the fence surface inspired by shark skin performs much better than both flat and corrugated surfaces. Taking into account the complex geometry of the surface inspired by shark skin denticles, we propose a fabrication process using an expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) material, created using an industrial robot arm with a hot-wire tool. Creating EPS moulds for the shark skin denticle panels allows for a richer variety material to be used in the final design, leading both to higher efficiency and a more attractive design.