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Numerical simulation of internal boundary-layer development and comparison with atmospheric data

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Abstract

A finite-volume numerical model is employed to investigate the adaptation of the atmospheric boundary layer to a change in the underlying surface roughness, such as that existing in the transition from land to the free surface of a water body. Numerical results are validated by comparison with neutral stratification atmospheric data and compared with the internal boundary-layer (IBL) heights computed using a number of existing empirical formulae. The numerical analysis allows an extension of the fetch range in which the existing formulae, calibrated only by comparison with short fetch data, may be applied. An argument is offered that the spatial variability of the water surface roughness should be also taken into account for the IBL development over the surface of a water body.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary

    János Józsa

  2. Department of Hydraulic Engineering and Environmental Applications, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Palermo, 90128, Italy

    Barbara Milici & Enrico Napoli

Authors
  1. János Józsa
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  2. Barbara Milici
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  3. Enrico Napoli
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Correspondence to Enrico Napoli.

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Józsa, J., Milici, B. & Napoli, E. Numerical simulation of internal boundary-layer development and comparison with atmospheric data. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 123, 159–175 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-006-9134-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-006-9134-9

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