Eroding Terrains

Developing Computational Design Tools for Interactive Site Erosion

Journal Article (2023)
Author(s)

James Melsom (University of Technology Sydney)

Ilmar Hurkxkens (TU Delft - Landscape Architecture)

Research Group
Landscape Architecture
Copyright
© 2023 James Melsom, Ilmar Hurkxkens
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.14627/537740030
More Info
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Publication Year
2023
Language
English
Copyright
© 2023 James Melsom, Ilmar Hurkxkens
Research Group
Landscape Architecture
Issue number
8
Volume number
2023
Pages (from-to)
284-291
Reuse Rights

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Abstract

Landscape erosion processes can be problematic and are universal in their effect on all forms of landscape contexts and conditions. Hydrological erosion processes are important features of ecologies, yet are often extremely problematic, and can be exacerbated by climate extremes, weather events, animal and human activities, and especially transformations through agricultural processes. This research documents and proposes computational design tools and methods for erosion simulation in realworld scenarios. While there are many examples of soil erosion modelling in the life sciences and engineering fields, they are rarely applied at the detailed scale of the landscape-, architecture-and design disciplines. The work attempts to leverage erosion processes for design by creating new workflows inside familiar design and modelling programs. Applications may vary between agricultural land and areas of accelerated climate change, however, the test case for this application is in a fire-affected landscape particularly prone to erosion. This research seeks to unite site investigation and survey techniques with interactive erosion modelling within AEC design software. By introducing intuitive ways to model erosion processes mitigation becomes possible within the landscape analysis and design process, creating opportunities to avoid erosion before it occurs.