Validation of atmospheric boundary layer turbulence model by on-site measurements

Modeling atmosperic boundary layer with standard linear models does not sufficiently reproduce wind conditions in complex terrain, especially on leeward sides of terrain slopes. More complex models, based on Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations and two-equation k-e turbulence models for neutral conditions in atmospheric boundary layer, written in general curvilinear non-orthogonal co-ordinate system, have been evaluated. In order to quantify the differences and level of accuracy of different turbulence models, investigation has been performed using standard k-e model without additional production terms and k-e turbulence models with modified set of model coefficients. The sets of full conservation equations are numerically solved by computational fluid dynamics technique. Numerical calculations of turbulence models are compared to the reference experimental data of Askervein hill measurements.