Elucidation of the behavior of melted snow flowing down the snow layer and development of icicle formation prevention technique

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K04366
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 23020:Architectural environment and building equipment-related
• Research Institution: Akita University
• Principal Investigator: Komatsu Yoshimi 秋田大学, 理工学研究科, 准教授 (90422162)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 融雪 / 氷柱 / 建築物

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we focused on the problem of icicles formed at the tip of folded-plate roofs in snowy regions, and developed an experimental apparatus that can simulate the formation process of icicles in a laboratory experiment, and speculated the mechanism of icicle formation using this apparatus. We also proposed a new folded-plate roofing system based on the aforementioned mechanism to suppress the formation of icicles without the use of heaters or other thermal energy, and confirmed its effectiveness through demonstration experiments.

Free Research Field

伝熱工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の成果を実用化することで，積雪の多い寒冷地の多くの建物で問題となっている屋根先端の氷柱形成を抑制することができる。これにより，氷柱の落下による被害を防止するために費やしている，多くのコストを削減することができる。また，本研究の成果は流体の凍結・凝固による被害を受けている，他の事象に応用できる可能性がある。