Cellular convection embedded in the convective planetary boundary layer surface layer

Cellular convection was first studied in the laboratory by Benard [Ann. Chim. Phys. 23 (1901) 62–144] and Rayleigh [Phil. Mag. Ser. 6 (1916) 529–546] investigated these motions from a theoretical perspective. He defined a dimensionless number, now called the Rayleigh number, which is the ratio of co...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of wind engineering and industrial aerodynamics 1997-04, Vol.67, p.387-401
Main Authors: DeCroix, David S., Lin, Yuh-Lang, Schowalter, David G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Buildings. Public works
Cellular convection
Computation methods. Tables. Charts
Computer simulation
Convection, turbulence, diffusion. Boundary layer structure and dynamics
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
External geophysics
Heat convection
Large eddy simulation
Meteorology
Perturbation techniques
Planetary boundary layer
Rayleigh-Benard convection
Structural analysis. Stresses
Turbulence
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Summary:Cellular convection was first studied in the laboratory by Benard [Ann. Chim. Phys. 23 (1901) 62–144] and Rayleigh [Phil. Mag. Ser. 6 (1916) 529–546] investigated these motions from a theoretical perspective. He defined a dimensionless number, now called the Rayleigh number, which is the ratio of convective transport to molecular transport, and found that if a certain critical value is exceeded, cellular convection occurs. Mesoscale cellular convection (MCC) is a common occurrence in the planetary boundary layer. Agee [Dyn. Atmos. Oceans 10 (1987) 317–341] discussed the similarities and differences of MCC and classical Rayleigh-Benard convection. A similar cellular pattern can be seen in the convective boundary layer (CBL) surface layer. It is known that in the CBL, air near the surface converges into thermals producing updrafts. This produces a ‘spoke’ type pattern similar to the mesoscale cellular or Rayleigh-Benard convection. This paper will focus on applying Rayleigh-Benard convection criteria, using a linearized perturbation method, to the CBL surface layer produced by Large Eddy Simulation (LES). We will investigate the length scales of turbulence in the CBL surface layer and compare them to those predicted from linear theory. Similarities and differences will be discussed between the LES produced surface layer and classical Rayleigh-Benard convection theory.
ISSN:0167-6105
1872-8197
DOI:10.1016/S0167-6105(97)00088-3