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Measurements and predictions of turbulent recirculating flow over a rectangular depression

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Abstract

Measurements of mean velocity and turbulence intensity components are reported for flow over a two-dimensional rectangular depression; these include measurements in the highly turbulent regions of recirculating flow. Predictions of the mean-flow variables were obtained from three finite-difference models: (1) a vorticity stream-function model using constant effective viscosity, (2) a primitive variable model using constant effective viscosity, and (3) a primitive variable model in which effective viscosity is computed from a turbulence model. The turbulent kinetic energy was also predicted by the last of these models. These predictions were compared with the measurements in order to evaluate what accuracy can be expected when state-of-the-art finite-difference models are applied to complex flow situations in the atmospheric environment. Some areas are noted where improvement of modeling capabilities for complex flows is still needed.

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Raithby, G.D., Hallett, W.L., Crawford, T.L. et al. Measurements and predictions of turbulent recirculating flow over a rectangular depression. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 15, 181–194 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00121920

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