Application of theE-? turbulence closure model to separated atmospheric surface-layer flows

Abstract

Neutrally buoyant atmospheric surface-layer flow over a thin vertical wall has been studied using a turbulence closure scheme designed specifically to address flow problems containing high shears. The turbulent flow model consists of a general solution of the time averaged, steady state, twodimensional Navier-Stokes equations, where theE-e turbulence model has been used to close the system of equations. Model output compares favorably with measurements made in both a full-scale field study and in an atmospheric wind tunnel. In the simulation of flow over a solid wall, two recirculation eddies are produced. The smallest eddy is located windward of the wall with a separation point located atx/h=−0.8, and the largest is located in the lee of the wall atx/h=5.8. Immediately downwind of the wall top, the turbulent kinetic energy, the energy dissipation rate, and the momentum flux all reach a local maximum. These peak values generally maintain their height positionz/h=1.0, but decrease progressively downwind. The turbulent viscosity is strongly modified under the influence of the wall, with a local maximum forming in the lee of the wall top, and a local minimum forming at a heightz/h=2.0 above the lee recirculation eddy. The surface momentum flux reduction due to the presence of the wall begins atx/h=−10.0. Minimum zero fluxes occur at the surface separation points, and a local peak in momentum flux is produced at the centers of each recirculation eddy. Downwind of the wall, the modeled surface flux reaches an equilibrium at roughlyx/h=30.0.