Use of meteorological models in computational wind engineering

Computational wind engineering has progressed considerably in recent years. Along with the improved capability to simulate the small-scale flows around architectural structures there is a need to more realistically simulate the larger-scale atmospheric flows in which they are embedded. This would greatly expand the application of numerical models in areas of overlap between the disciplines of atmospheric science and wind engineering. This paper reviews the basic equations used by meteorological models, modifications required to incorporate buildings and how nested grids can be used to span the gap between large separations in scale. Areas requiring future research and model development are discussed and potential applications of a model which can simulate both large-scale meteorological flows as well as small-scale flows around buildings are suggested.