Numerical Simulation of Flow over Two-Dimensional Hills Using a Second-Order Turbulence Closure Model

We study turbulent flow over two-dimensional hills. The Reynolds stresses are represented by a second-order closure model, where advection, diffusion, production and dissipation processes are all accounted for. We solve a full set of primitive non-hydrostatic dynamic equations for mean flow quantities using a finite-difference numerical method. The model predictions for the mean velocity and Reynolds stresses are compared with the measured data from a wind-tunnel experiment that simulates the atmospheric boundary layer. The agreement is good. The performance of the second-order closure model is also compared withthat of lower level turbulence models, including the eddy-viscositymodel and algebraic Reynolds stress models. It is concluded that thepresent closure is a considerable improvement over the other modelsin representing various physical effects in flow over hills. Thefeasibility of running a finite-difference numerical simulationincorporating a full second-order closure model on an IBM workstationis also demonstrated.