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Determining Longitudinal Integral Turbulence Scales in the Near-Neutral Atmospheric Surface Layer

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Abstract

We briefly assess approaches used to date for the estimation of the longitudinal integral turbulence scale \(L_u^x\) in the near-neutral atmospheric surface layer, and propose an approach based on recent theory and measurements. A closed-form expression is derived according to which \(L_u^x\) is proportional to the height z above the surface. The factor of proportionality depends upon two non-dimensional parameters: the measured lowest Monin frequency \(f_s\) for which the non-dimensional spectrum conforms to Kolmogorovs two-thirds law, and the ratio \(\beta = \overline{u^2}/{u_{*}^2}\), where \(\overline{u^2}\) and \(u_{*}\) denote the mean square value of the longitudinal velocity fluctuations and the friction velocity, respectively.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials and Structural Systems Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA

    Emil Simiu & Tarak N. Nandi

  2. Mathematical Analysis and Modeling Group, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA

    Florian A. Potra

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  1. Emil Simiu
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  2. Florian A. Potra
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  3. Tarak N. Nandi
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Correspondence to Emil Simiu.

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Simiu, E., Potra, F.A. & Nandi, T.N. Determining Longitudinal Integral Turbulence Scales in the Near-Neutral Atmospheric Surface Layer. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 170, 349–355 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-018-0400-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-018-0400-4

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