Full-scale measurements of the wind regime over a saddle,and correlation with wind-tunnel tests

The Gebbies Pass region consists of a saddle at a height of approximately 300 m, bounded by two ranges of hills approximately 500 m high. A survey technique which yielded mean wind speeds at a height of 10 m in this region is shown to provide excellent reproducibility for data collected 6 months apart. The survey results are also shown to correlate extremely well with those obtained from a 1:4000 scale model analysed in a Planetary Boundary Layer wind tunnel.Wind structure information obtained upstream of the saddle and at its crest is presented and compared with the wind tunnel model and other studies where possible. The velocity profile was measured up to 160 m at the crest and was found to be almost vertical; however, there was a noticeable jet at the 15 m height, which was not apparent on the model. Measurements at 10 m height showed a velocity increase of 40–60% at the crest compared to the approach terrain velocity at the same height above ground level. The longitudinal r.m.s. turbulence component _u was found to increase at the saddle but still resulted in reduced turbulence intensity values relative to the upstream situation. The longitudinal component of the energy spectrum at the upwind site was in excellent agreement with the theoretical model proposed by Kaimal et al. (1972). However, at the saddle crest the theoretical spectrum was too high and required further modification to fit the measured data. It is proposed that a terrain factor be used to make the necessary adjustment since the theoretical spectra are strictly only valid for flat homogeneous terrain.