对流边界层中泡状结构的大涡模拟研究

本文提出“连续垂直运动区”的概念，对边界层中的对流泡状运动进行了重新定义。由此将对流边界层划分为上升泡区、下沉泡区和环境气流区，并利用大涡模拟提供的对流边界层数值模拟结果研究这种泡状运动的结构。研究结果较好地解释了一些有关泡状运动结构方面的似乎相互矛盾的观测事实，并揭示了对流泡状运动的一些新的特征。     

对流边界层的大涡模拟研究

本文建立了一个均匀平坦地面上对流边界层的大涡模式,模式考虑了水汽,采用了考虑浮力和固壁影响订正的一阶闭合。并用所建模式进行了由热扰动发展的对流边界层的模拟及其对地表热状况变化响应的初步探讨性模拟工作。通过模拟认为,模式较好地反映了对流边界层的主要结构。     

风切变对边界层对流影响的大涡模拟研究

利用"西北干旱区陆-气相互作用野外观测实验"加密观测期间在敦煌站的观测资料以及大涡模式,模拟了对流边界层的发展,以及示踪物从混合层向残留层传输的时空变化。模拟的对流边界层的结构及演变特征与实测结果基本一致。进一步通过有风切变和无风切变的敏感性数值试验,研究了风切变对垂直速度、位温和示踪物浓度的水平分布以及示踪物传输高度的影响。研究结果表明,在有风切变的试验中(甚至风切变仅存在于近地层中),对流边界层的增长加强,而且示踪物被传输的高度也较高。与浮力驱动的对流边界层相比,由浮力和风切变共同驱动的边界层中上升气流较弱而下沉气流较强,但前者的上升气流与下沉气流的分布在垂直方向上更为倾斜。由于夹卷作用的增强,浮力和风切变共同驱动的对流边界层较浮力驱动的对流边界层暖。在夹卷层,浮力和风切变共同驱动的边界层对流的上升气流和下沉气流都比浮力驱动的边界层对流中的强,而且垂直速度的概率密度函数分布也较对称,其位温和示踪物浓度的概率密度函数分布也比浮力驱动的边界层中的平直。对湍流动能收支的分析也表明风切变对湍流动能有重要影响,尤其对夹卷层中的湍流动能切变产生项影响较大。示踪物浓度的概率密度函数垂直分布显示,浮力驱动的边界层中示踪物浓度随高度变化较小,而浮力和风切变共同驱动的边界层中示踪物浓度随高度递减,但是示踪物传输的高度比较高。     

一个直接考虑大涡、小涡作用的大气对流边界层模式

本文建立了一个大气对流边界层模式,构造此模式时,假设对流边界层中水平动量和热量在垂直方向上的湍流输送、扩散是由大涡与小涡组成的系统完成的。文中,用此模式作了一实例模拟,计算结果表明:模拟的结果与实测的结果相当一致。     

非均匀对流边界层的地转强迫流动和动量输送

用大涡模拟方法研究地转强迫下的对流边界层流动和地表热力非均匀性影响.模拟重现了典型对流边界层的平均风廓线和动量通量垂直分布.地表热力非均匀性对区域平均风速和动量通量分布无明显影响,但边界层内的局地流动性状和湍流动量输送情况有系统性的改变.下风较热区近地面风速增强而高空流动受到阻塞,上风较冷区之上情况则正好相反.对应于平均流动场的畸变,地表较热区之上边界层大部可以出现动量向上输送的情况,较冷区成为大气动量下传的主要通道.地面应力在较热区增强、较冷区减弱的趋势明显.     

一个对流边界层大涡模式的建立与调试

本文介绍一个适合于对流边界层的大涡模式的建立及其调试结果。该大涡模式建立过程中注重于计算的节省，同时也强调原理与方法的简单和合理性。模式的调试表明，对于平坦均一地形的情况，模拟可以获得合理的结果。调试同时显示了模式对较低水平分辨率的适用条件，以及模式应用于模拟较大水平范围问题的可能性。     

用大涡模式研究对流边界层湍流

利用三维对流边界层的大涡模拟模式研究对流边界层湍流统计特征量,模拟结果与前人的同类模拟工作及实验观测结果相比较,得到了一致的结论.       

基于大涡模拟评估GRAPES模式对对流边界层的模拟性能

为检验GRAPES半拉格朗日动力框架在大涡尺度上的模拟性能,为未来发展千米及其以下高分辨尺度的数值模式奠定基础,并构造GRAPES大涡模式以检验和发展边界层湍流参数化提供科学工具。通过在GRAPES模式中加入Smagorinsky-Lilly小尺度湍涡参数化,并将模式分辨率提高至50 m,构建GRAPES大涡模式(GRAPES_LES),以便分析GRAPES模式在大涡尺度上的适用性。同时利用广泛应用的已有大涡模式UCLA_LES作为参考,通过对干对流边界层湍流的模拟分析及与UCLA_LES模拟结果的对比,得出如下主要结论:GRAPES半拉格朗日动力框架能够模拟出与已有的大涡模式相似的边界层湍流特征;同时,通过分析也证明GRAPES存在由于采用半拉格朗日平流计算而带来过度耗散的问题:当使用相同的滤波尺度(Smagorinsky 常数)时,GRAPES_LES模拟出的速度场更为平滑,小尺度湍流结构过于光滑,通过对湍流能量的能谱分析更清楚地表明了这一点。进一步,对不同的Smagorinsky常数(对应不同的滤波尺度)进行了敏感性试验,表明可以通过改变滤波尺度,有效地缓解半拉格朗日框架隐含的耗散问题,得到更接近UCLA_LES所模拟的湍流特征。     

边界层对流对示踪物抬升和传输影响的大涡模拟研究

利用"西北干旱区陆气相互作用野外观测实验"加密观测期间敦煌站的实测资料以及大涡模式, 通过一系列改变地表热通量和风切变的敏感性数值试验, 分析了地表热通量和风切变对边界层对流的强度、形式, 以及对对流边界层结构和发展的影响。模拟结果显示风切变一定, 增大地表热通量时, 由于近地层湍流运动增强, 向上输送的热量也较多, 使对流边界层变暖增厚, 而且边界层对流的强度明显增强, 对流泡发展的高度也较高。当地表热通量一定, 增大风切变时, 由于风切变使夹卷作用增强, 将逆温层中的暖空气向下卷入混合层中, 使对流边界层增暖增厚, 但是对流泡容易破碎, 对流的强度也较弱。另外通过在模式近地层释放绝对浓度为100的被动示踪物方法, 用最小二乘法定量地分析了地表热通量和风切变分别与示踪物抬升效率和传输高度的关系。分析结果表明, 风切变小于10.5×10-3 s-1时, 增大地表热通量加强了上层动量的下传, 使示踪物的抬升效率也线性增大;地表热通量小于462.5 W m-2时, 增大风切变减弱了边界层对流的强度, 从而使示踪物的抬升效率减弱。当风切变一定时, 示踪物的平均传输高度随地表热通量增加而增大, 而地表热通量一定, 只有风切变大于临界值时, 示踪物平均传输高度才随风切变的增加而增大, 而临界风速的大小由地表热通量决定。     

对流边界层大涡模式的改进及对夹卷速度的研究

对已建的对流边界层(CBL)大涡模式进行了改进，将次网格闭合方案改为次网格能量闭合，并考虑了水汽的源汇项和水汽相变潜热的作用。通过对均匀下垫面上由热扰动发展的对流边界层的模拟及与实验结果的比较表明，模式较好地模拟了对流边界层的主要物理结构，较好地反映了各物理量之间的对应关系。本文在一定的对流理查森数(Ri*)范围内给出了一些算例，对无量纲夹卷速度(We/W*)进行了研究。结果表明，无量纲夹卷速度随地表热通量(Qs)的增大而增大，随对流边界层上部温度递减率（γ)的增大而减小。当9.06≤Ri*≤45.29时，无量纲夹卷速度We/W*可以拟合成A(Ri*)-1的形式，其中A=0.226。并且与我们的对流槽实验结果，Sullivan等人的大涡模拟结果以及Deardorff等人的对流槽实验结果作了比较，四者吻合较好。     

Development of the Convective Boundary Layer Capping with a Thick Neutral Layer in Badanjilin: Observations and Simulations

In this study,the development of a convective boundary layer (CBL) in the Badanjilin region was investigated by comparing the observation data of two cases.A deep neutral layer capped a CBL that occurred on 30 August 2009.This case was divided into five sublayers from the surface to higher atmospheric elevations:surface layer,mixed layer,inversion layer,neutral layer,and sub-inversion layer.The development process of the CBL was divided into three stages:S1,S2,and S3.This case was quite different from the development of the three-layer CBL observed on 31 August 2009 because the mixed layer of the five-layer CBL (CBL5) eroded the neutral layer during S2.The specific initial structure of the CBL5 was correlated to the synoptic background of atmosphere during nighttime.The three-stage development process of the CBL5 was confirmed by six simulations using National Center for Atmospheric Research (USA) large-eddy simulation (NCAR-LES),and some of its characteristics are presented in detail.     

Coherent Structures near the Surface in a Strongly Sheared Convective Boundary Layer Generated by Large-Eddy Simulation

Well-developed low speed and high temperature streaks in association with the alignment of convection cells are observed in a large-eddy-simulation (LES) generated strongly sheared convective boundary-layer flow, which is driven by a geostrophic wind speed of 15 m s^-1 and a surface kinematic heat flux of 0.05 K m s^-1. Vortices that drive streaky structures are identified through an eigenvalue method (lambda;₂method) near the surface. These vortices are highly elongated along the quasi-streamwise direction alternating sign of the x-component of vorticity (_x). By conditional sampling of fully developed vortices, a statistically significant coherent structure is educed. The educed vortex is elongated to the streamwise direction with the elevation angle of about 17° above the horizontal surface. However, the horizontal tilting is not clearly demonstrated in the present simulation. Fluctuation fields in the domain of the educed vortex show the existence of a low speed and high temperature streak as a direct consequence of momentum and heat transport by vortical motions. The strong ejection(upward transport of low momentum or high temperature)occurring at the higher level than that of the strong sweep (downward transport of high momentum and low temperature) can be explained from the spatial distribution of the fluctuationfields of velocity and temperature. The contribution of ejection to the Reynolds stress at z/h₁ = 0.18 is about 75%, which is slightly greater than that (70% at z/h₁ = 0.173) for the neutrally stratified atmospheric boundary layer. Ejection is also found to be dominant for the turbulent heat flux.     

An Intercomparison of Large-Eddy Simulations of the Stable Boundary Layer

Results are presented from the first intercomparison of large-eddy simulation (LES) models for the stable boundary layer (SBL), as part of the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment Atmospheric Boundary Layer Study initiative. A moderately stable case is used, based on Arctic observations. All models produce successful simulations, in as much as they generate resolved turbulence and reflect many of the results from local scaling theory and observations. Simulations performed at 1-m and 2-m resolution show only small changes in the mean profiles compared to coarser resolutions. Also, sensitivity to subgrid models for individual models highlights their importance in SBL simulation at moderate resolution (6.25 m). Stability functions are derived from the LES using typical mixing lengths used in numerical weather prediction (NWP) and climate models. The functions have smaller values than those used in NWP. There is also support for the use of K-profile similarity in parametrizations. Thus, the results provide improved understanding and motivate future developments of the parametrization of the SBL.     

Parameterization of Sheared Convective Entrainment in the First-Order Jump Model: Evaluation Through Large-Eddy Simulation

In this note, two different approaches are used to estimate the entrainment-flux to surface-flux ratio for a sheared convective boundary layer (CBL); both are derived under the framework of the first-order jump model (FOM). That suggested by Sun and Wang (SW approach) has the advantage that there is no empirical constant included, though the dynamics are described in an implicit manner. The second, which was proposed by Kim et al. and Pino et al. (KP approach), explicitly characterizes the dynamics of the sheared entrainment, but uncertainties are induced through the empirical constants. Their performances in parameterizing the CBL growth rate are compared and discussed, and a new value of the parameter A ₃ in the KP approach is suggested. Large-eddy simulation (LES) data are employed to test both approaches: simulations are conducted for the CBL growing under varying conditions of surface roughness, free-atmospheric stratification, and wind shear, and data used when the turbulence is in steady state. The predicted entrainment rates in each case are tested against the LES data. The results show that the SW approach describes the evolution of the sheared CBL quite well, and the KP approach also reproduces the growth of the CBL reasonably, so long as the value of A ₃ is modified to 0.6.     

A Variable Mesh Spacing for Large-Eddy Simulation Models in the Convective Boundary Layer

A variable vertical mesh spacing for large-eddy simulation (LES) models in a convective boundary layer (CBL) is proposed. The argument is based on the fact that in the vertical direction the turbulence near the surface in a CBL is inhomogeneous and therefore the subfilter-scale effects depend on the relative location between the spectral peak of the vertical velocity and the filter cut-off wavelength. From the physical point of view, this lack of homogeneity makes the vertical mesh spacing the principal length scale and, as a consequence, the LES filter cut-off wavenumber is expressed in terms of this characteristic length scale. Assuming that the inertial subrange initial frequency is equal to the LES filter cut-off frequency and employing fitting expressions that describe the observed convective turbulent energy one-dimensional spectra, it is feasible to derive a relation to calculate the variable vertical mesh spacing. The incorporation of this variable vertical grid within a LES model shows that both the mean quantities (and their gradients) and the turbulent statistics quantities are well described near to the ground level, where the LES predictions are known to be a challenging task.     

Resolution Sensitivity and Scaling of Large-Eddy Simulations of the Stable Boundary Layer

Large-eddy simulations (LES) of the continuously turbulent quasi-equilibrium stable boundary layer (SBL) are conducted with grid lengths in the range of 12.5 m to 2 m, in order to explore resolution sensitivity, and determine at what point grid convergence occurs. The structure of the mean potential temperature, winds, and turbulent fluxes varies significantly over this resolution range. The highest resolution simulations show a significant degree of convergence. The dimensionless momentum diffusivity asymptotes to a value of 0.06, corresponding to a limiting flux Richardson number of 0.15.Using the converged simulations, some scaling hypotheses underpinning first-order and second-order closure models are revisited. The effective Richardson number stability functions of the LES are compared with the forms often used in numerical weather prediction (NWP). The mixing implied by the LES is less than that used in NWP. The commonly used similarity profiles for heat and momentum fluxes, and the scalings for dissipation and pressure covariances are compared with the LES. This information could provide guidance for the next generation of SBL parametrization schemes.     

Large-Eddy Simulations of Vertical Vortex Formation in the Terrestrial and Martian Convective Boundary Layers

Large-eddy simulations (LES) of the Martian and terrestrial convective boundary layers (CBL) are performed to compare the physical characteristics of simulated convective vertical vortices to those of observed dust devils and vortices. Martian and terrestrial CBLs are outwardly found to have similar structures and turbulence statistics based on primary mechanisms for the transfer of energy from the insolated surface. Applying the heating effect of radiative flux divergence in the Martian atmosphere caused differences in atmospheric vertical profiles in the surface and mixed layers of Mars. In general, the Martian boundary layer is found to be roughly four times deeper than Earth’s, indicating that convection on Mars is more intense than that on Earth due to a lower atmospheric density. Performing fine-resolution simulations in quiescent atmospheres of the two planets, it is found that the general vorticity development in all cases is similar and that the Martian vorticity columns extend six times higher and are 10 times wider than those on Earth. The accuracy of the simulated vortices as compared with observed physical characteristics is discussed. This study is a necessary part of a larger effort for the Phoenix Mars mission and examines the possible formation and maintenance mechanisms for vertical vortices in the Martian convective boundary layer at the Phoenix lander site.