Numerical Prediction of the Wind Flow over Real Hilly Terrain

In the present paper, a numerical prediction of the wind flow in a neutrally-stratified atmosphere over real hilly terrain is presented. For the solutions of the NavierStokes equations which are the governing equations of a microscale atmospheric flow, a numerical model based on the finite-volume formulation in a boundary-fitted coordinate system and the SIMPLEC pressure-correction algorithm is used. The numerical predictions are compared with the field experiments of Cooper's Ridge, Kettles Hill and Askervein Hill, and reasonable correlations are obtained between the two results. In the simulation of the wind flow over Askervein Hill, the present method predicts threedimensional flow separations in the leeside of the hill which cannot be predicted by the existing theoretical methods. Thus, the present method is deemed to offer a more accurate prediction of the flow behavior in the leeside of the hill.