Measurement and modeling of simplified trees for daylighting computer simulation

In this context, the main aims of this research are: to improve the way of measuring the permeability of arboreal vegetation to daylight, which we call the "canopy gap fraction", using hemispherical photography and image analysis; and apply these measurements in simplified three-dimensional digital models to use in computational daylight simulations. Three digital models, namely "blinds", "translucent", and "gaps" were developed, simulating four tree species.

The actual and simulated light levels of each one were compared and validated according to the relative MBE and RMSE indicators. The "gap" tree model, for example, was especially suitable for the Pitombeira and Carolina tree species, with relative MBE values of 0.21 and -0.12, as well as relative RMSE values of 0.02 and 0.03, respectively, proving the relevance of the developed method.