Direct numerical simulation of a vigorously heated low Reynolds number convective boundary layer

Coleman, Gary N. and Ferziger, J.H. (1996) Direct numerical simulation of a vigorously heated low Reynolds number convective boundary layer. Dynamics of Atmospheres and Oceans, 24 (1-4), 85-94. (doi:10.1016/0377-0265(95)00456-4).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Computations of the buoyantly unstable Ekman layer are performed at low Reynolds number. The results are obtained by directly solving the three-dimensional time-dependent Navier-Stokes equations with the Boussinesq buoyancy approximation, resolving all relevant scales of motion (no turbulence closure is needed). The flow is capped by a stable temperature inversion and heated from below at a rate that produces an inversion-height to Obukhov-length ratio ?zi/L* = 32. Temperature and velocity variance profiles are found to agree well with those from an earlier vigorously heated under-resolved computation at higher Reynolds number, and with experimental data of Deardorff and Willis (Boundary-Layer Meteorol., 32: 205–236, 1985). Significant helicity is found in the layer, and helical convection patterns of the scale of the inversion height are observed.

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