scholarly journals On the Formulation and Universality of Monin–Obukhov Similarity Functions for Mean Gradients and Standard Deviations in the Unstable Surface Layer: Results from Surface-Layer-Resolving Large-Eddy Simulations

2017 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 989-1010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Björn Maronga ◽  
Joachim Reuder
Keyword(s):  
Surface Layer ◽  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Large Eddy Simulations ◽  
Specific Humidity ◽  
Horizontal Wind ◽  
Convective Conditions ◽  
Similarity Functions ◽  
Large Eddy ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Standard Deviations

Abstract Surface-layer-resolving large-eddy simulations (LESs) of free-convective to near-neutral boundary layers are used to study Monin–Obukhov similarity theory (MOST) functions. The LES dataset, previously used for the analysis of MOST relationships for structure parameters, is extended for the mean vertical gradients and standard deviations of potential temperature, specific humidity, and wind. Also, local-free-convection (LFC) similarity is studied. The LES data suggest that the MOST functions for mean gradients are universal and unique. The data for the mean gradient of the horizontal wind display significant scatter, while the gradients of temperature and humidity vary considerably less. The LES results suggest that this scatter is mostly related to a transition from MOST to LFC scaling when approaching free-convective conditions and that it is associated with a change of the slope of the similarity functions toward the expected value from LFC scaling. Overall, the data show slightly, but consistent, steeper slopes of the similarity functions than suggested in literature. The MOST functions for standard deviations appear to be unique and universal when the entrainment from the free atmosphere into the boundary layer is sufficiently small. If entrainment becomes significant, however, we find that the standard deviation of humidity no longer follows MOST. Under free-convective conditions, the similarity functions should reduce to universal constants (LFC scaling). This is supported by the LES data, showing only little scatter, but displaying a systematic height dependence of these constants. Like for MOST, the LFC similarity constant for the standard deviation of specific humidity becomes nonuniversal when the entrainment of dry air reaches significant levels.

scholarly journals Monin–Obukhov Similarity Functions for the Structure Parameters of Temperature and Humidity in the Unstable Surface Layer: Results from High-Resolution Large-Eddy Simulations

2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 716-733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Björn Maronga
Keyword(s):  
Surface Layer ◽  
Free Convection ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Surface Fluxes ◽  
Large Eddy Simulations ◽  
Structure Parameters ◽  
Similarity Functions ◽  
Dry Air ◽  
Large Eddy ◽  
Temperature And Humidity

Abstract Large-eddy simulations (LESs) of free-convective to near-neutral boundary layers are used to investigate the surface-layer turbulence. The article focuses on the Monin–Obukhov similarity theory (MOST) relationships that relate the structure parameters of temperature and humidity to the surface fluxes of sensible and latent heat, respectively. Moreover, the applicability of local free convection (LFC) similarity scaling is studied. The LES data suggest that the MOST function for is universal. It is shown to be within the range of the functions proposed from measurement data. It is found that follows MOST if entrainment of dry air from the free atmosphere is sufficiently small. In this case the similarity functions for and are identical. If entrainment is significant, dissimilarity between the transport of sensible heat and moisture is observed and no longer follows MOST. In the free-convection limit the LFC similarity functions should collapse to universal constants. The LES data suggest values around 2.7, which is in agreement with the value proposed in the literature. As for MOST, the LFC similarity constant for becomes nonuniversal if entrainment of dry air is significant. It is shown that LFC scaling is applicable even if shear production of turbulence is moderately high.

scholarly journals Similarity Theory in the Surface Layer of Large-Eddy Simulations of the Wind-, Wave-, and Buoyancy-Forced Southern Ocean

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 2165-2187 ◽  
Author(s):  
William G. Large ◽  
Edward G. Patton ◽  
Alice K. DuVivier ◽  
Peter P. Sullivan ◽  
Leonel Romero
Keyword(s):  
Surface Layer ◽  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Wind Wave ◽  
Similarity Theory ◽  
Large Eddy Simulations ◽  
Stokes Drift ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Similarity Functions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Large Eddy

AbstractMonin–Obukhov similarity theory is applied to the surface layer of large-eddy simulations (LES) of deep Southern Ocean boundary layers. Observations from the Southern Ocean Flux Station provide a wide range of wind, buoyancy, and wave (Stokes drift) forcing. Two No-Stokes LES are used to determine the extent of the ocean surface layer and to adapt the nondimensional momentum and buoyancy gradients, as functions of the stability parameter. Stokes-forced LES are used to modify this parameter for wave effects, then to formulate dependencies of Stokes similarity functions on a Stokes parameter ξ. To account for wind-wave misalignment, the dimensional analysis is extended with two independent variables, namely, the production of turbulent kinetic energy in the surface layer due to Stokes shear and the total production, so that their ratio gives ξ. Stokes forcing is shown to reduce vertical shear more than stratification, and to enhance viscosity and diffusivity by factors up to 5.8 and 4.0, respectively, such that the Prandtl number can exceed unity. A practical parameterization is developed for ξ in terms of the meteorological forcing plus a Stokes drift profile, so that the Stokes and stability similarity functions can be combined to give turbulent velocity scales. These scales for both viscosity and diffusivity are evaluated against the LES, and the correlations are nearly 0.97. The benefit of calculating Stokes drift profiles from directional wave spectra is demonstrated by similarly evaluating three alternatives.

scholarly journals Large-Eddy Simulations of a Drizzling, Stratocumulus-Topped Marine Boundary Layer

2009 ◽  
Vol 137 (3) ◽  
pp. 1083-1110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew S. Ackerman ◽  
Margreet C. vanZanten ◽  
Bjorn Stevens ◽  
Verica Savic-Jovcic ◽  
Christopher S. Bretherton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Marine Boundary Layer ◽  
Cloud Water ◽  
Large Eddy Simulations ◽  
Cloud Base ◽  
Entrainment Rate ◽  
Liquid Water Path ◽  
Average Maximum ◽  
Large Eddy ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Cloud water sedimentation and drizzle in a stratocumulus-topped boundary layer are the focus of an intercomparison of large-eddy simulations. The context is an idealized case study of nocturnal stratocumulus under a dry inversion, with embedded pockets of heavily drizzling open cellular convection. Results from 11 groups are used. Two models resolve the size distributions of cloud particles, and the others parameterize cloud water sedimentation and drizzle. For the ensemble of simulations with drizzle and cloud water sedimentation, the mean liquid water path (LWP) is remarkably steady and consistent with the measurements, the mean entrainment rate is at the low end of the measured range, and the ensemble-average maximum vertical wind variance is roughly half that measured. On average, precipitation at the surface and at cloud base is smaller, and the rate of precipitation evaporation greater, than measured. Including drizzle in the simulations reduces convective intensity, increases boundary layer stratification, and decreases LWP for nearly all models. Including cloud water sedimentation substantially decreases entrainment, decreases convective intensity, and increases LWP for most models. In nearly all cases, LWP responds more strongly to cloud water sedimentation than to drizzle. The omission of cloud water sedimentation in simulations is strongly discouraged, regardless of whether or not precipitation is present below cloud base.

scholarly journals Nature versus Nurture in Shallow Convection

2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 1655-1666 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Romps ◽  
Zhiming Kuang
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
The Other ◽  
Cloud Base ◽  
Shallow Convection ◽  
Eddy Simulation ◽  
Cloud Properties ◽  
Nature Versus Nurture ◽  
Large Eddy ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Single Set

Abstract Tracers are used in a large-eddy simulation of shallow convection to show that stochastic entrainment (and not cloud-base properties) determines the fate of convecting parcels. The tracers are used to diagnose the correlations between a parcel’s state above the cloud base and both the parcel’s state at the cloud base and its entrainment history. The correlation with the cloud-base state goes to zero a few hundred meters above the cloud base. On the other hand, correlations between a parcel’s state and its net entrainment are large. Evidence is found that the entrainment events may be described as a stochastic Poisson process. A parcel model is constructed with stochastic entrainment that is able to replicate the mean and standard deviation of cloud properties. Turning off cloud-base variability has little effect on the results, which suggests that stochastic mass-flux models may be initialized with a single set of properties. The success of the stochastic parcel model suggests that it holds promise as the framework for a convective parameterization.

The Effects of Ethyl Alcohol on a Driver's Driving Skill, Visual Perception, Risk Acceptance, Choice Reaction Times and Information Processing Rates

1974 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-116
Author(s):  
Helmut T. Zwahlen
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Visual Perception ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Driving Skill ◽  
Alcohol Condition ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Risk Acceptance ◽  
Standard Deviations ◽  
Choice Reaction Times

Twelve subjects (20–37 years old) were tested in the laboratory and eleven out of these were also tested in a car in the field, first under a no alcohol condition and then under an alcohol condition (approximately 0.10% BAC). In the laboratory the subjects simple and choice reaction times for two uncertainty modes were measured and their information processing rates (3 bits unsertainty) were determined. In the field the subjects driving skill for driving through a gap with 20 inches total clearance at 20 MPH was measured, as well as their static visual perceptual capabilities and risk acceptance decisions for a 46 feet viewing distance using psychophysical experimental methods. Based upon the driving skill measure (standard deviation of centerline deviations in the gap), the mean of the psychometric visual gap perception function and the mean of the psychometric gap risk acceptance function, the “Safety Distance” and the “Driver Safety Index” (DSI) were obtained. Based upon a statistical analysis of the data we may conclude first that the effects of alcohol (approximately 0.10% BAC) vary widely from one subject to another (slighthly improved performance to highly impaired performance) and that the changes in the group averages of the means and standard deviations of the psychometric visual perception and risk acceptance functions, the driving skill distributions, the “Safety Distances” and the DSI's for the subjects (although all changes in the group averages are in the expected direction) are statistically not significant (α = .05). Second, the group average of the means of the choice reaction times for the subjects increased by 5% under the alcohol condition (statistically significant, α = .05), but more important the group average of the standard deviations of the choice reaction times for the subjects increased by 23% (statistically significant, α = .05). The group average of the information processing rates for the subjects decreased by 3% (statistically not significant, α = .05) under the alcohol condition. A system model in which the system demands on the driver are represented in terms of choice reaction times is used to demonstrate that the increase in performance variability (expressed by the standard deviation of choice reaction times) under the influence of alcohol provides a much better explanation for the higher accident involvement than the historically most frequently used rather small increase in average performance (expressed by the mean of choice reaction times).

scholarly journals Comparison of Large Eddy Simulations of a convective boundary layer with wind LIDAR measurements

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. Pedersen ◽  
M. Kelly ◽  
S.-E. Gryning ◽  
R. Floors ◽  
E. Batchvarova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Geostrophic Wind ◽  
Large Eddy Simulations ◽  
Horizontal Wind ◽  
Convective Boundary ◽  
Horizontal Wind Speed ◽  
Large Eddy ◽  
Lidar Measurements ◽  
Wind Lidar

Abstract. Vertical profiles of the horizontal wind speed and of the standard deviation of vertical wind speed from Large Eddy Simulations of a convective atmospheric boundary layer are compared to wind LIDAR measurements up to 1400 m. Fair agreement regarding both types of profiles is observed only when the simulated flow is driven by a both time- and height-dependent geostrophic wind and a time-dependent surface heat flux. This underlines the importance of mesoscale effects when the flow above the atmospheric surface layer is simulated with a computational fluid dynamics model.

scholarly journals The Role of Wave-Induced Coriolis–Stokes Forcing on the Wind-Driven Mixed Layer

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 444-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff A. Polton ◽  
David M. Lewis ◽  
Stephen E. Belcher
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Solution ◽  
Observational Data ◽  
Mixed Layer ◽  
Analytical Solutions ◽  
Eddy Viscosity ◽  
Large Eddy Simulations ◽  
Current Profile ◽  
Large Eddy ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mean Current

Abstract The interaction between the Coriolis force and the Stokes drift associated with ocean surface waves leads to a vertical transport of momentum, which can be expressed as a force on the mean momentum equation in the direction along wave crests. How this Coriolis–Stokes forcing affects the mean current profile in a wind-driven mixed layer is investigated using simple models, results from large-eddy simulations, and observational data. The effects of the Coriolis–Stokes forcing on the mean current profile are examined by reappraising analytical solutions to the Ekman model that include the Coriolis–Stokes forcing. Turbulent momentum transfer is modeled using an eddy-viscosity model, first with a constant viscosity and second with a linearly varying eddy viscosity. Although the Coriolis–Stokes forcing penetrates only a small fraction of the depth of the wind-driven layer for parameter values typical of the ocean, the analytical solutions show how the current profile is substantially changed through the whole depth of the wind-driven layer. It is shown how, for this oceanic regime, the Coriolis–Stokes forcing supports a fraction of the applied wind stress, changing the boundary condition on the wind-driven component of the flow and hence changing the current profile through all depths. The analytical solution with the linearly varying eddy viscosity is shown to reproduce reasonably well the effects of the Coriolis–Stokes forcing on the current profile computed from large-eddy simulations, which resolve the three-dimensional overturning motions associated with the turbulent Langmuir circulations in the wind-driven layer. Last, the analytical solution with the Coriolis–Stokes forcing is shown to agree reasonably well with current profiles from previously published observational data and certainly agrees better than the standard Ekman model. This finding provides evidence that the Coriolis–Stokes forcing is an important mechanism in controlling the dynamics of the upper ocean.

Large Eddy Simulations of Flow Past Two Pipelines in Tandem in Close Proximity to the Seabed

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhong Li ◽  
Mia Abrahamsen Prsic ◽  
Muk Chen Ong ◽  
Boo Cheong Khoo
Keyword(s):  
Drag Coefficient ◽  
Recirculation Zone ◽  
Separation Distance ◽  
Large Eddy Simulations ◽  
Plane Wall ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Tandem Cylinders ◽  
Flow Past ◽  
Large Eddy ◽  
The Mean

Three-dimensional Large Eddy Simulations (LES) with Smagorinsky subgrid scale model have been performed for the flow past two free-spanning marine pipelines in tandem placed in the vicinity of a plane wall at a very small gap ratio, namely G/D = 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5. The ratio of cylinder center-to-center distance to cylinder diameter, or pitch ratio, L/D, considered in the simulations is taken as L/D = 2 and 5. This work serves as an extension of Abrahamsen Prsic et al. (2015) [1]. In essence, six sets of simulations have been performed in the subcritical Reynolds number regime at Re = 1.31 × 104. Our major findings can be summarized as follows. (1) At both pitch ratios, the wall proximity has a decreasing effect on the mean drag coefficient of the upstream cylinder. At L/D = 2, the mean drag coefficient of the downstream cylinder is negative since it is located within the drag inversion separation distance. (2) At L/D = 2, a squarish cavity-like flow exists between the tandem cylinders and flow circulates within the cavity. A long lee-wake recirculation zone is found behind the downstream cylinder at G/D = 0.1. However, a much smaller lee-wake recirculation zone is noticed at L/D = 5 with G/D = 0.1. (3) At L/D = 2, the reattachment is biased to the bottom shear layer due towards the deflection from the plane wall, which leads to the formation of the slanted squarish cavity-like flow where the flow circulates between the tandem cylinders.

A Proof for Rhiel's Range Estimator of the Coefficient of Variation for Skewed Distributions

2007 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 208-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Steven Rhiel
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Coefficient Of Variation ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Skewed Distributions ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Standard Deviations

In this research study is proof that the coefficient of variation ( CVhigh-low) calculated from the highest and lowest values in a set of data is applicable to specific skewed distributions with varying means and standard deviations. Earlier Rhiel provided values for dn, the standardized mean range, and an, an adjustment for bias in the range estimator of μ. These values are used in estimating the coefficient of variation from the range for skewed distributions. The dn and an values were specified for specific skewed distributions with a fixed mean and standard deviation. In this proof it is shown that the dn and an values are applicable for the specific skewed distributions when the mean and standard deviation can take on differing values. This will give the researcher confidence in using this statistic for skewed distributions regardless of the mean and standard deviation.

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