On the velocity gradient in stably stratified sheared flows. Part 1: Asymptotic analysis and applications

S. S. Zilitinkevich, I. Esau, N. Kleeorin, I. Rogachevskii, R. D. Kouznetsov

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

We give a new derivation of the familiar linear relation for the dimensionless velocity gradient in the stably stratified surface layer and provide physical and empirical grounds for its universal applicability in stationary homogeneous turbulence over the whole range of static stabilities from Ri = 0 to very large Ri. Combining this relation with the budget equation for the turbulent kinetic energy we obtain the "equilibrium formulation" of the turbulent dissipation length scale, and recommend it for use in turbulence closure models.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)505-511
Number of pages7
JournalBoundary-Layer Meteorology
Volume135
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jun 2010

Keywords

  • Flux Richardson number
  • Stationary and homogeneous regime
  • Strong static stability
  • Turbulence closure
  • Turbulent dissipation length scale
  • Turbulent kinetic energy
  • Velocity gradient

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atmospheric Science

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