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A Comprehensive Modelling Approach for the Neutral Atmospheric Boundary Layer: Consistent Inflow Conditions, Wall Function and Turbulence Model

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Abstract

We report on a novel approach for the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) modelling of the neutral atmospheric boundary layer (ABL), using the standard \(k-{\varepsilon}\) turbulence model. A new inlet condition for turbulent kinetic energy is analytically derived from the solution of the \(k-{\varepsilon}\) model transport equations, resulting in a consistent set of fully developed inlet conditions for the neutral ABL. A modification of the standard \(k-{\varepsilon}\) model is also employed to ensure consistency between the inlet conditions and the turbulence model. In particular, the turbulence model constant C μ is generalized as a location-dependent parameter, and a source term is introduced in the transport equation for the turbulent dissipation rate. The application of the proposed methodology to cases involving obstacles in the flow is made possible through the implementation of an algorithm, which automatically switches the turbulence model formulation when going from the region where the ABL is undisturbed to the region directly affected by the building. Finally, the model is completed with a slightly modified version of the Richards and Hoxey rough-wall boundary condition. The methodology is implemented and tested in the commercial code Ansys Fluent 12.1. Results are presented for a neutral boundary layer over flat terrain and for the flow around a single building immersed in an ABL.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Service d’Aéro-Thermo-Mécanique, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Avenue F. D. Roosevelt 50, 1050, Bruxelles, Belgium

    Alessandro Parente

  2. Environmental and Applied Fluid Dynamic Department, Von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Bruxelles, Belgium

    Alessandro Parente, Jeroen van Beeck & Carlo Benocci

  3. Center for Turbulence Research, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA

    Catherine Gorlé

  4. Department of Physics, University of Antwerp, EMAT, Antwerp, Belgium

    Catherine Gorlé

Authors
  1. Alessandro Parente
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  2. Catherine Gorlé
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  3. Jeroen van Beeck
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  4. Carlo Benocci
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Correspondence to Alessandro Parente.

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Parente, A., Gorlé, C., van Beeck, J. et al. A Comprehensive Modelling Approach for the Neutral Atmospheric Boundary Layer: Consistent Inflow Conditions, Wall Function and Turbulence Model. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 140, 411–428 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-011-9621-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-011-9621-5

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