Large eddy simulation of the atmospheric boundary layer to investigate the Coriolis effect on wind and turbulence characteristics over different terrains

Abstract

The wind veering phenomenon caused by the Coriolis force is frequently observed in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) and may affect the wind and turbulence characteristics of the ABL, thus influencing the wind effects on structures, especially high-rise structures. To investigate the Coriolis effect, this study firstly reproduces a realistic thousand-meter height ABL with a wind veering phenomenon by large eddy simulation. The simulated vertical profiles of mean wind speed and twist angle are validated against field observations. Three typical terrain types are considered in the simulation and the corresponding vertical profiles of wind and turbulence characteristics are presented and discussed. Furthermore, an additional group of reference cases not considering the Coriolis force is also considered for comparison to quantify the Coriolis effects on the wind and turbulence characteristics. The results show that both the Coriolis force and terrain type significantly affect the vertical profiles of mean wind speed and turbulence intensity in three orthogonal directions. The Coriolis effect on the turbulence integral length scale is more appreciable in the streamwise direction than in the other two orthogonal directions. The vertical profiles of wind speed and turbulence properties in the ABL simulated with consideration of the Coriolis force may serve as a crucial reference for the more reliable wind-resistant design of high-rise structures.