Summary
Because of the important impact of the stratus cloud regime on global climate, I have incorporated radiation and condensation processes into my large-eddy-simulation model to simulate the stratus-topped boundary layer. Such simulation helps to understand the turbulent structure within this type of planetary boundary layer (PBL), and. can be used to test the statistical turbulence models which are used as PBL parameterizations in climate models.
A sample study for mixed-layer modeling shows that within the stratus-topped mixed layer about 60% of the total buoyant-generated kinetic energy is used for dissipation and the rest converts back to potential energy through thermally indirect motions.
I also study the pressure term in the scalar flux equation for second-order closure modeling. Decomposing the pressure fluctuations into different components according to their physical processes allows one to study each component separately. The result shows that in the scalar flux equation the buoyancy component of the pressure term is proportional to the direct buoyant production term; the proportionality constant is about 0.75 for the stratus-topped PBL. The nonlinear interaction component of the pressure term can be represented by Rotta’s return-to-isotropy model, with a time scale profile proportional to (math), where (math) is the vertical velocity variance and € is the kinetic energy dissipation rate.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Lilly, D. K.: “Models of cloud-topped mixed layers under a strong inversion”, Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc., 94 (1968) pp. 292–309.
Deardorff, J. W.: “Numerical investigation of neutral and unstable planetary boundary layers”, J. Atmos. Sci., 29 (1972) pp. 91–115.
Sommeria, G., and Deardorff, J. W.: “Subgrid-scale condensation in models of nonprecipitating clouds”, J. Atmos. Sci., 34 (1977) pp. 344–355.
Deardorff, J. W.: “Stratocumulus-capped mixed layers derived from a threedimensional model”, Boundary-Layer Meteorol., (1980) 41 pp. 2052–2062.
Moin, P., Reynolds, W. C., and Ferziger, J. H.: “Large eddy simulation of incompressible turbulent channel flow”, Report No. TF-12, Thermoscience Div., Stanford, Calif. (1978).
Moin, P., and Kim, J.: “Numerical investigation of turbulent channel flow”, J. Fluid Mech., 118 (1982) pp. 341–377.
Moeng, C.-H.: “A large-eddy-simulation model for the study of planetary boundary-layer turbulence”, J. Atmos. Sci., 41 (1984) pp. 2052–2062.
Leonard, A.: “Energy cascade in large eddy simulations of turbulent fluid flows”, Advances in Geophysics, vol. 18, Academic Press, New York (1974) pp. 237–248.
Moeng, C.-H., and Wyngaard, J. C.: “Statistics of conservative scalars in the convective boundary layer”, J. Atmos. Sci., 41 (1984) pp. 3161–3169.
Fiedler, B., and Moeng, C.-H.: “A practical integral closure model for mean vertical transport of a scalar in a convective boundary layer”, J. Atmos. Sci., 42 (1985) pp. 359–363.
Moeng, C.-H., and Wyngaard, J. C.: “An analysis of closures for pressure-scalar covariances in the convective boundary layer”, (Submitted to J. Atmos. Sci., 1986).
Herman, G. F., and Goody, R. M.: “Formation and persistence of summertime arctic stratus clouds”, J. Atmos. Sci., 33 (1976) pp. 1537–1553.
Moeng, C.-H., and Arakawa, A.: “A numerical study of a marine subtropical stratus cloud layer and its stability”, J. Atmos. Sci., 37 (1980) pp. 2661–2675.
Rodgers, C. D.: “The use of emissivity in atmospheric radiation calculation”, Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc., 93 (1967) pp. 43–54.
Carruthers, D. J., and Hunt, J. C. R.: “Velocity fluctuations near an interface between a turbulent region and a stably stratified layer”. (to be published in J. Fluid Mech., 1985).
Stage, S. A., and Businger, J. A.: “A model for entrainment into a cloud-topped marine boundary layer. Part I: Model description and application to a cold-air outbreak episode”, J. Atmos. Sci., 38 (1981) pp. 2213–2229.
Randall D. A.: “Buoyant production and consumption of turbulence kinetic energy in cloud-topped mixed layers”, J. Atmos. Sci., 41 (1984) pp. 402–413.
Rotta, J. C.: “Statistische theorie nichthomogener turbulenz”, Z. Phys., 129 (1951) pp. 547–572.
Deardorff, J. W.: “Three-dimensional numerical study of turbulence in an entraining mixed layer”, Boundary Layer Meteorol., 7 (1974) pp. 199–226.
Wyngaard, J. C.: “Boundary layer modeling. Atmospheric Turbulence and Air Pollution Modeling”, Ed. by F. T. M. Nieuwstadt and H. van Dop. D. Reidel Publishing Company. Dordrecht, Holland/Boston, U.S.A./London, England 1982.
Lumley, J. L.: Introduction. In “lecture series 76: Prediction Methods for Turbulent Flows.”, Von Karman Institute, Fluid Dyn., Rhode-St-Genese, Belgium 1975.
Zeman, O., and Tennekes, H.: “A self-contained model for the pressure terms in the turbulent stress equations of the neutral atmospheric boundary layer”, J. Atmos. Sci., 32 (1975) pp. 11808–1813.
Klemp, J. B., and Rotunno, R.: “A study of the tornadic region within a supercell thunderstorm”, J. Atmos. Sci., 40 (1983) pp. 359–377.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1986 Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Moeng, CH. (1986). A Large Eddy Simulation Model for the Stratus-Topped Boundary Layer. In: Schumann, U., Friedrich, R. (eds) Direct and Large Eddy Simulation of Turbulence. Notes on Numerical Fluid Mechanics. Vieweg+Teubner Verlag, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-663-00197-3_19
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-663-00197-3_19
Publisher Name: Vieweg+Teubner Verlag, Wiesbaden
Print ISBN: 978-3-663-00048-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-663-00197-3
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive