Evaluation of the dynamic core of the PALM model system 6.0 in a neutrally stratified urban environment: comparison between LES and wind-tunnel experiments

We demonstrate the capability of the PALM model system version 6.0 to simulate neutrally stratified urban boundary layers. Our simulation uses the real-world building configuration of the HafenCity area in Hamburg, Germany. Using PALM's virtual measurement module, we compare simulation results...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geoscientific Model Development 2021-06, Vol.14 (6), p.3317-3333
Main Authors: Gronemeier, Tobias, Surm, Kerstin, Harms, Frank, Leitl, Bernd, Maronga, Björn, Raasch, Siegfried
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Boundary conditions
Boundary layer
Boundary layers
Experiments
Humidity
Mean winds
Nesting
Simulation
Statistical methods
Tunnels
Turbulence
Urban environments
Wind direction
Wind measurement
Wind speed
Wind tunnel testing
Wind tunnels
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Summary:We demonstrate the capability of the PALM model system version 6.0 to simulate neutrally stratified urban boundary layers. Our simulation uses the real-world building configuration of the HafenCity area in Hamburg, Germany. Using PALM's virtual measurement module, we compare simulation results to wind-tunnel measurements of a downscaled replica of the study area. Wind-tunnel measurements of mean wind speed agree within 5 % on average while the wind direction deviates by approximately 4∘. Turbulence statistics similarly agree. However, larger differences between measurements and simulation arise in the vicinity of surfaces where building geometry is insufficiently resolved. We discuss how to minimize these differences by improving the grid layout and give tips for setup preparation. Also, we discuss how existing and upcoming features of PALM like the grid nesting and immersed boundary condition help improve the simulation results.
ISSN:1991-9603
1991-959X
1991-962X
1991-9603
1991-962X
DOI:10.5194/gmd-14-3317-2021